Walter left us peacefully, with loved ones by his side. He was born in Fort William, Ontario. At a young age his family moved to Victoria, B.C. They built their home at 2650 Quadra Street, which was also the location for Robinson’s Shoe Repairs.
Leaving school early, Walter felt the need to make his own way. At 17 he apprenticed at Wratten’s Auto Body on View Street. He then worked at John Mestons until he purchased Wratten’s with his business partner, Bill Albion. Walter was well respected in the auto body community and an expert in colour matching. After 31 years, he retired and continued to do paint jobs from his shop at home.
When marrying Fay in 1953, he learned his legal name was Stebelski. His parents, Tony & Tina immigrated to Canada and thought no one would buy shoes from a Ukrainian shoe maker. They selected their new name, Robinson, from the phone book.
Walter and Fay purchased a 300 sq.ft." target="_blank" rel="nofollow">sq.ft. home on Baker Street in the early 50’s. He raised the house and dug out a crawl space by hand to allow for a 400 sq.ft. addition for his growing family. They lived there until moving to their dream home in Cordova Bay in 1967.
Walter is best known and loved for his mischievous practical jokes. Family & friends were often the recipients of his pranks. No one was safe!
Providing for his family was Walter’s priority. He took his kids fishing every weekend. They thought it was for quality time but it was actually to increase his catch limit! He never missed a hunting season and once Mike was old enough, they spent many memorable trips together. Another passion was spending time in his garden. He kept it full of manure which was synonymous with his personality… Full of BS! This was a never ending source of fresh food for family, friends and neighbours. He was most proud of his prize tomatoes. Walter enjoyed square dancing with the “Country Cousins” in his late 70’s. He never missed a class and was proud to be part of a ‘Flash Mob’. Walter thought he looked “pretty damn good” in his cowboy boots & bolo tie.
Walter and Fay opened their hearts and home to many foreign students, who to this day think of Walter as their father. Walter also had a very special bond with his nephew, Ken.
Walter was a very kind & loving man. He leaves behind his three children:
Sheryl Thorne (Steve); Karen Robinson; Mike Robinson (Vicki). Three grandchildren: Jeremy (Sherrae); Jessica (Brian); Cameron (Rachel). Three great grandchildren: Emelia, Cayden and Kendrik.
Predeceased by his parents: Tina & Tony. Siblings: Stella Merko, Charlie, Ted, Edward and Joseph. Wife: Fay Elliott.
Walter will be sadly missed. His famous goodbye was always, “Say goodnight Dick!”
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In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Victoria Hospice Foundation, a Dementia or Cancer Society.
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