Harry N. Robinson

Harry N. Robinson, a 22 year resident of Washingtonville, NY, died at ORMC Horton Campus on December 30, 2010 at the age of 89. His loving wife, Helen I. Robinson, his bride of 63 years, kept him in the best of health through her love, vigilance, and excellent care. Harry spent a short time at the Valley View Center for Nursing Care, where Helen visited daily. The staff, inspired by the love they witnessed, partnered with her in providing Harry with the best care possible.

Son of the late William Theodore and Bertha Belle Robinson, Harry was born October 24, 1921 in Saginaw, Michigan, the second of three children.

Harry graduated from Saginaw High School in 1939 and worked at Maine’s Cabinet Shop as an apprentice until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1942, proudly serving his country both on American soil and in Europe. He was discharged from the Army in 1945 and “discharged” from Saginaw by his mother in 1946. His love of friends and jazz music moved her to call for help. As he tells it, his mom’s plea of, “Get him out of here!” landed him a job working for his uncle at Dawn Cruisers ship yard in the Bronx. Shortly thereafter, invited to a party hosted by the bookkeeper, he met her best friend, Helen Irene Dix. In later years, Harry often told his grandchildren the story of the greatest day of his life. “She opened the door and said, ‘I’m Helen, you must be Harry. C’mon in!’ And the rest, as they say, is History!” Harry and Helen were married on June 22, 1947.

In October of 1954 Helen gave birth to Gail Ann and four years later, in November of 1958, to Valerie Ann. Harry was a devoted, loving, adoring father who sought to do all he could to provide for his girls-body, mind and soul. He was playmate, inventor, physical therapist, toymaker, spiritual guide, provider, teacher and friend. In December of 1989 Jim and Valerie gave Harry and Helen a Christmas gift unlike any other-their first grandson, Ryan Baron, and two years later, another blessing, Devin James. Time with his grandsons was Harry’s greatest joy. He spent every spare minute feeding, diapering, and marveling at these precious beings, then went on to spend many years building legos, forts, and teepees, attending soccer and hockey games, concerts and choir recitals. Those boys were the world to him and he let them know it every chance he got. The admiration was mutual. No finer friend did any boy ever have.

Harry worked as a plumbing designer-draftsman for architectural engineering firms. He retired from Meyer, Strong and Jones in 1988, the last of the companies he worked for over his career. Harry had many interests over the years apart from work. He enjoyed carpentry; building furniture and cabinets for his family’s home. Once an avid bowler, Harry enjoyed many years playing in leagues with friends from B.S.C.A. Harry was a poet, filling hundreds and hundreds of pages in his lifetime with his ponderings of faith, life and love. Many of these were given to friends and family. Many have been found and archived for his grandchildren. He was an active member of Fourth Presbyterian Church on Olmstead Avenue in the Bronx, serving as Trustee, Elder, Clerk of Session, and delegate to the Presbytery of NYC, until he moved to Orange County in 1988. Harry and Helen traveled, dined, and attended concerts with their closest friends, the OPALs, sharing many laughs, adventures and memories. At the First Presbyterian Church in Washingtonville, he found solace in worship, satisfaction in hard work, camaraderie among his men’s breakfast companions, and food for the soul with his fellow Bible Study scholars. Harry’s relationship with Christ was the most important in his life. He lived as a witness to the grace of God and the power of faith. He was blessed, and he knew The Source. Harry leaves behind his devoted wife and sweetheart of 63 years, Helen Irene Robinson at home; adoring daughter Valerie Robinson-Senning and companion, Wayne Thode, both of Washingtonville; loyal grandsons and friends, Ryan Baron Senning and Devin James Senning of Monroe; loving brother Robert Robinson and his wife, Jean Mary of Venice, Florida; loving son-in-law and permanent horse-shoe partner, Jim Senning of Monroe; many beloved nieces and nephews, and good, good friends. In addition to his parents, Harry was predeceased by his precious daughter, Gail Ann Robinson.

Friends may call Monday, January 3 from 2-4 and 7-9pm at David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, Washingtonville, NY. A Funeral Service will be held Tuesday, January 4, 10am at David T. Ferguson Funeral Home with a Committal Service and internment to follow at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. A Memorial Service to be held in late January, to be announced.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Harry’s memory may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Washingtonville, NY.

Arrangements under the direction of Thomas A. Murray of David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY 10992, 845-496-9106. For more information or to leave condolences for the family please visit our website at www.davidtfergusonfh.com.