Tony M. Robinson

With love in our hearts we mourn the loss of Tony Marcus Robinson who passed away peacefully at home of natural causes on Friday, Oct. 7, 2011. Born on Mar. 5, 1909, in Warrensburg, Missouri, he and his wife, Cena, moved to Ventura in 1937, where he continued to reside for 73 years. During that time he and Cena designed and built their charming ranch-style home on Day Rd. nestled among the avocado orchard he lovingly planted and nurtured. Had you known Tony, you would have known a man with a keen sense of humor who was fair, sincere, considerate, innovative, and a model leader.

Cena Greim came into Tony’s life when they were 15. Their marriage began on Mar. 29, 1929, and lasted 63 years until her death in 1992. He has missed her terribly for the last 19 years. Their greatest joys were their two daughters, Nancy and Sally, and their many world travels.

Tony began working at age 12 on his uncle’s farm. That was the first in a string of jobs including caddy, soda jerk, selling popcorn at a theater, working at a clothing store and a ladies dry goods store, and playing saxophone in a band for the silent movies. He earned a B.S. degree in Education in 1929 at Central Missouri State Teacher’s College, his M.A. degree in Education at Missouri University in 1937, and completed graduate studies at USC later on. His career began at the age of 19 (having been double promoted) as an industrial arts teacher at Warrensburg High School. He continued to work in education in Missouri from 1935-1937 but was lured by California and secured a job at May Henning Elementary School as principal from 1938-1940. In 1941 he began 3 years as superintendent of Mound School District. To serve during WWII he became director of the USO in Santa Ana from 1945-1948. His love of education and Mound School took him back to that district from 1949-1965. Known for his dedication to both students and staff, he considered this time some of the best in his life. The existence of outdoor education throughout California today can be attributed to the program Tony designed for his sixth graders whose nature campus was at Pine Valley, CA. Upon the creation of Ventura Unified School District, Tony was awarded the title of Director of Personnel for that district. He held that position from 1966 until his retirement in 1972.

Tony was blessed with an unusual number of talents and interests which contributed to his achievement of 102 years of life. He had a gift for music, lapidary creations, and woodworking. Photography (even making his own Christmas cards), freshwater fishing, card playing, dancing, travel and avocado farming gave him great pleasure. Up until the end of his life he remained an avid Lakers, Dodgers, and Tiger Woods fan, even missing meals to watch Kobe. Tony and Cena were long-time active members of Community Presbyterian Church.

In addition to his beloved wife Cena, Tony was preceded in death by his parents, Giles Gardner Robinson and Clara Sue Hyder, and sisters Madalyn Denney and Sue Williams all of Missouri. He will be deeply missed by his daughter and son-in-law Nancy and Jerry Swanitz of Los Olivos, California; daughter and son-in-law Sally and Dennis Douglas of Spring, Texas; grandchildren Mark Swanitz (Michelle) and their daughter Alison; Lisa Church (Glenn) and their children Gracie, Cole, and Luke; step-grandchildren Travis Douglas; Erica Leavitt (Matt) and their daughter Kaylee; sister June Stormont of Tucson, Arizona; nieces and nephews Diane, Dixie, Randy, Toni Sue, David, Ron, Linda; and great nieces and nephews Shari, Mindy, Michelle, Scott, Beth, Tricia, Sean, Todd, Kellee Sue, Brittany, Steve; and Carol Slade Harlow, and his dear friend Wanda Laurence.

Funeral services will be held on Sat., Oct. 15th, 1:00 P.M., at the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Road, Ventura. In lieu of flowers, if you are able, please join Tony in his support of the National Wildlife Federation which reflects his passion for “the protection of America’s treasured wildlife and wild places” at 11100 Wildlife Center Dr., Reston, VA 20190 or www.nwf.org or (800) 822-9919 or the Nature Conservancy at 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203 or www.nature.org or (800) 628-6860.

Our family is so grateful for the kind, compassionate staff at The Palms assisted living facility for their excellent care of Tony over the last three years and for Assisted Home Hospice and Healthcare Services for their loving, professional assistance as we said our good-bye.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Ted Mayr Funeral Home, 3150 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura. Condolences may be left at TedMayrFuneralHome.com.