Mr. John Robinson, Jr.

February 8, 1937 - February 18, 2021

UTICA – John Robinson, Jr. was the firstborn to the late John and Carrie (Brown) Robinson on Edisto Island, SC on February 8, 1937. John’s parents began their journey in the home of his paternal grandparents filled with love and adventure, with his mischief-maker youth along with his sibling, cousins and other family members until his family had completed building their own home nearby on the same property, and the house still stands today. John came from a family of carpenters and farmers on both his maternal grandfather Wm. Bubberson Brown and his paternal grandfather John (Mackie) Robinson who was honest, hardworking and foremost loved God. The family holds a place in the history of Edisto Island, SC because of the contributions they made to that area. John honorably served his country during the Vietnam Era as a member of the United States Army with Battalion 509G stationed in Fort Jackson, SC John relocated to New York City in 1958 where he lived with his Aunt and Uncle Lou and Brownie along with his cousins on 132nd Street where they enjoyed several family gatherings and house parties. John met his wife Estell Simmons at one of those family gatherings, and on March 9, 1961 they married and raised seven children together. John always had a desire to have a full house with many children surrounding him that gave him the opportunities for many family gatherings which was very important to him. John oversaw the exciting outdoor children’s activities, not only for his children but the neighborhood families and children as well. The South Bronx is the place they choose to raise their children that also extended to nephews, nieces and others. His wife was the disciplinarian and kept things in order as he would often times sit back and watch mischief happen with a smile on his face until she appeared and in his laughter he would say “that’s enough you all”. He worked as a demolition specialist for most of his time in NYC as well as owning a neighbor Fish Market with his brothers-in-law Louis Simmons, Sr and John Pressley. John would do whatever it took to provide for and be able to enjoy life, for and with his family. While in NYC he served at Ebenezer AME church in NY, NY under Rev. William M. Robinson, Sr. (his brother) in whatever capacity needed since the church began. The church gave him awards for service rendered throughout the years of him surrendering to the will of God for his life. As their three girls ventured out and moved to Utica NY, John and Estell stepped up to higher levels to keep his family together and close knit and in 1991 they decided to move to Utica NY also. His household immediately joined St. James AME church in 1991(his wife and son Delvin LaMel on the music team, John in his true form serving in whatever capacity needed. The church was on Eagle Street in Utica when they moved from the Bronx, under Rev. Clarence Bass and Rev. Hester Dehart at that time. He earned the title of “Father of the Church” under his present pastor, Rev. Richard Moron, Jr at St. James AME church in New York Mills as well as serving as trustee in previous years. He has served as “pillar of his parish” since1991 with his family by his side; he has been awarded many honors: Certificate of Installation has been appointed/elected Steward (Vice chair), Trustee, and Commission Stewardship/Finance of Conference Year 2018-2019 under Rev. Richard Moran, Jr. Certificate of Appreciation for your years of Love and dedication to St. James AME church, under Rev. Charles Rogers, Sr. 2014 Award for services rendered as usher under Rev. Anderson in 1992, Award for Generous Dedication to St. James AME in1995. Award for Chairperson for Unity Day in 1998, Award for service rendered in 2000 and 2001 under Rev. Samuel Bell. He also has received Steward Certificates in 2004, 2005, 2006-07 under Rev. Dawson; in the Western NY Annual Conferences; 2nd Annual Trailblazer award in 2007. When his wife became ill, he was faithful to visiting her in MV Nursing Home every day for 19 years. After 51 years together, his beloved Estell passed away on August 24, 2013. In 2012 he retired from the Birnie Bus Company as a driver for the Utica City School District after 9 years of service (as his father who also was a School bus driver on Edisto Island), John then started a career with Oneida County Meals on Wheels (where his grandchildren would work beside him in the summer as he taught them the value of hard work). He worked more after retirement than he had in the Business world, being there for his family as babysitter, home repair, chaffer, cook, comic and teacher of life as he continues to be an example of how to live a content, spirit-filled life for over 80 years. John was a Jack of all trades and a master of none as his wife and others would say, for his entire life with MacGyver talents. He was a whiz at adapting and improvising to solve any of life’s issues! He would say “I going to beat this, this is not going to beat me, you must work on it until you find the solution.” John was resourceful and always made a way. He was the original “O.G.” and there will never be one to take his place. To his generations and the ones after him, he kept it young and real. Nothing went unchallenged because of his love for his family and friends and because of his generous soul. John would cook anyone’s favorite meal for Sunday dinner, or birthdays but he especially enjoyed preparing his favorite dishes: okra soup, yellow rice, shepherd’s pie and hop and johns for New Year’s! John also had a tendency to start a party before the party! He would even put up his own decorations. John loved to laugh at his own jokes, he was youthful and could deal with anything they put in front of him! John’s children, grands, great grands, nieces, nephews and friends were a bundle of joy to his spirit. They entertained him with dancing and singing, almost any Friday and/or Sunday evening at his home where all gathered with humor galore! Music uplifted his spirit, from contemporary old school R&B, Motown, to inspirational Gospel as it all moved his heart and soul as we sang along with the music. John strived to keep in shape by exercising with his daughters even walking around the track. Truth be told, the man wanted to have fun and stay young until the Lords’ return, which he did! John knew the true meaning of living life to the fullest as the Grace of God flowed throughout his life. Whether you called him John, dad, pop’ pop, uncle, Yhetto, Kochie, Egghead, pa pa bear or friend, you will be missed by any and all who had the pleasure of being in your presence. His life was a true example of a picture of God’s unconditional love, faith and fellowship, which God tells us about, in his favorite verse. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 God reached down from heaven and retrieved the Patriarch of our family and tribe, John Robinson, Jr., age 84, from his earthly home to enter his everlasting home on Thursday, February 18, 2021 to join his sons who preceded him: John Anthony, Ervin, Gilbert “Gil”, Gerard “Gee”, and Delvin LaMel Robinson along with his brother James Andrew Robinson. John leaves to celebrate and remember the adventures of his life: his son, Gerald (Carolyn Ann) Scott (Charlotte, NC); his daughters, DeVana “Pookie” (Peter A.) O’Garro Jr, Brenda J. Robinson, Belinda B. (Joseph Adam, Sr.) Robinson all of Utica; Denise Young, Jennifer Gramham and Elsie Rodriguous; brother, William M. (Lillian) Robinson Sr; sister; Bertha (Frank) Wilson, both (Edisto, SC); Aunts, Henrietta Jackson and Elizabeth (Bell) Brown of Charleston, SC, sisters-in-law; Gloria Robinson all of Edisto Island, SC, Jannie “Nell”Jamison (Delaware), Everlena (Alviston) Calistro (GA), Theora (John) Pressley daughter-in-law, Yolanda Robinson (Bronx, NY); brother-in-law; Lester Johnson of Utica; grandchildren, Peter (DeVon) O‘Garro, Ebony Robinson, Crystal Robinson, Shakima Atkinson, Gilbert Jr.(Gil) Robinson Jr, Pedra (Dasmin) O’Garro- Minor, Dominique Robinson , Brenda Stephanie Palmer, Sharae Robinson, Shawna Robinson, Shanice Hamilton, Jessica Robinson, Pedrick Derard O‘Garro, Bobby Hamilton Jr, Dquan Brown, Joseph Adams Jr.; Shante (Charles Boyd) Mitchell, Justin and Justine Crook, Kennisha Watts and 19 great-grandchildren; his besties: Sheen (Toni) Hunt, Ernest (Mo) Adam, Levon (The Monitor) Jackson, Allen (Boogaloo) Mack; Ming (Mingaling), Wayne (Jah-Jah) Simmons and Tamara (Black Girl) Burke, the Rockaway Crew, and a host of family and friends. __________________________________________________________ His children and the family that was around him are blessed because of the unconditional Love due to his faith, has now given them a heritage of love, faith, forgiveness and hope to pass on, being a great example of a spiritual father not only to his children but to his extended family, friend, church and community. Many call him father; we are the fruit of his life’s labor and service to God. The fruit of his life is in the souls of the people around him who continue to love him. The family is so blessed for his granddaughter Pedra and his great-granddaughters Phynix (his doctor) and Jael (his nurse) for the past three years of being his caretakers; also Eric Brown (his nephew) for being his right hand man, and always being there for him. The family is grateful to MVHS at St. Elizabeth Medical Center nurses and staff of the ICU for their compassionate care. ________________________________________________________ Friends are welcome to pay their respects to John at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., and corner of Hammond Ave. on Saturday afternoon, March 6, 2021 from 2:00-4:00 with a private family service immediately following. This time will also be reserved to honor his late son, Gerard “Gee” Robinson who passed away on January 20, 2021. Face mask are required, and social distancing and contact tracing will be implemented. The private Home Going services will be held directly following the viewing for the immediate family. During this time of social distancing that we are all experiencing, please take a moment to connect with John’s family through the “Memories” section of his obituary. Our prayers go out to all as a sign of our continued support.