NATICK: James Aloysius Robinson, age 94, a man devoted to his faith, family, and friends, died early Tuesday morning, April 14, 2015, at the MetroWest Medical Center. He had been the beloved husband of the late Catherine “Kay” (O’Brien) Robinson for 49 years.
Born, raised and educated in Carbondale, PA, he was one of five sons born to G. Royal and Rose (McCann) Robinson. After graduating Saint Rose of Lima High School, Jim and his twin brother Joe entered the Navy, as did each of the Robinson boys in succession during the Second World War. The eldest, Earl, was killed in action in the Pacific.
Jim met Kay through a Navy buddy who was dating her sister. They married when Jim was home on leave in 1944 and, after the war, lived for a time in Cambridge. A butcher by trade, Jim had been employed in Boston and Watertown prior to being hired at Stop & Shop in Natick. He moved to Natick and retired from the store as head of the meat department after 33 years with the company.
A very loving and involved father, Jim enjoyed seeing his daughters grow into young ladies starting families of their own. A former Holy Name Society member, he was a longstanding daily Communicant at Saint Patrick’s Church until more recently at Saint Linus Church. His love and devotion to Kay shone through brilliantly during many years of managing the ravages of Parkinson’s Disease. During her final few debilitating years he faithfully fed her lunch and dinner, sitting with her hour upon hour each day.
Jim discovered a fondness for golf later in life. He joined Benevolent Protective Order of Elks in Natick, and enjoyed their golf league and playing cards with other members. He loved to garden, told stories of serving on the USS Felicia, and beamed when in the presence of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Predeceased by Kay in 1993, he is survived by his daughters, Mary Rose Muti and her husband Robert, and Kathleen Campbell and her husband John, all of Woburn; his grandchildren Elizabeth Robinson Arkinstall and her husband Terry of Wakefield, Maria Muti and her husband Jonathan Chines of Stoneham, Katherine M. Campbell of South Boston, and Peter James Campbell of Woburn; seven great-grandchildren, Paige, Lila, Nathaniel, Samuel, Evan, Lucy, and Norah; and a large loving extended family of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. The last of the Robinson brothers, they were Earl, William, James, Joseph, and Edward “Ted” Robinson.
His funeral will be from the John Everett & Sons Funeral Home, 4 Park Street at Natick Common on Saturday, Apr. 18th at 9:00AM with a Mass of Christian Burial in Saint Patrick’s Church, 44 East Central Street, Natick at 10AM. Interment with military honors will follow at Saint Patrick Cemetery.
Visiting hours Friday 4 – 7PM. Donations may be made in Jim’s memory to Fisher House of Boston, P.O. Box 230, So. Walpole, MA 02071, a residence for families of hospitalized wounded servicemen and women. Thank you for sustaining them.