Robert Archibald Robertson

ROBERTSON, Robert Archibald (Robbie), Dartmouth, Robbie passed away on May 5, 2010 at the age of 84, after a long battle with heart disease. Born in St. Peters, Cape Breton, he was the elder son of the late William and Alpha (MacIntyre) Robertson. He spent his young life in Shubenacadie and then Halifax. After graduation from high school, he joined the army in 1943, training and attending Acadia University for a year with the II CAUC. In 1944 he was sent to Europe to join the West Nova Scotia Regiment and served in Italy, Germany, Holland, and a year in the Army of Occupation in the Friesian Islands. Returning to Halifax in 1946, he attended Dalhousie University graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce in 1949. He obtained his CA designation in 1952 with the firm of Archibald Gurnham. He soon joined the firm of H.R. Doane and Company (now Grant Thornton), and moved to Truro to become manager of their office there. He transferred to Dartmouth in 1965 as managing partner. After studying the new Tax Act of 1970, he transferred to the firm’s Halifax Tax office as a tax specialist. After recovering from a massive heart attack in November 1973, he transferred to the Halifax audit office where he remained until 1979. At that time, he retired from public practice (for health reasons), as a senior partner of the firm, and accepted an appointment to The Board of Public Utilities. In 1995, at age 70, he was scheduled to retire as Chair of the Board, but was asked by then Premier John Savage to remain for an additional two years as a commissioner. Robbie felt very strongly that everyone should give back to his community to the best of his or her ability, and he was always involved with community and charitable organizations, including Truro Town Council, Truro Golf Club, Dartmouth YM/YWCA, Pier 21 Society, Alderney Landing, Halifax Presbytery of The United Church, and others. He was awarded his FCA by the Institute of CA’s of Nova Scotia. In 1982. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Order, and at the time of his death, was the longest serving member of the Dartmouth Kiwanis Club. He was well respected in business, his profession, and his private life, and will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife Betty (Simpson); children Scott (Jennie), Fredericton; Meredith Fewer (Terry), Dartmouth; Craig (Ellen), La Glace AB; Sheri, Dartmouth; Lisa (Marc Verville), Stittsville ON; grandchildren Ian, Mark, Lori, Melissa, Tracy, Rachel, Dale, Julia, Antoine and Olivier; great-grandchildren Ross, Abagail and Arabella; brother Struan (Diane); sister Bea Ford, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by sister Mary Mitchell. Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held in A.L. Mattatall Funeral Home, 217 Portland Street, Sunday May 9, 2010 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. A memorial service will be held at Grace United Church, 2pm, Monday May 10, 2010 with reception to follow in Grace Church downstairs hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Grace United Church, Dartmouth Kiwanis Club, Dalhousie Medical Research Foundation or charity of your choice. Please visit: www.mattatallfuneralhome.com