Thomas ROBBINS

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ROBBINS: Thomas Harold Robbins, born October 5, 1931, died May 15, 2017. With his wife by his side and family close by Tom Robbins passed away peacefully in the early hours of May 15, 2017 in Souris Health Center. Tom will be lovingly and forever cherished by his wife of 62 years Margie (Dodds) and his children, Pam (Kris King), Kathy (Cyril Druwe), Gord, Rick (Colleen), Gary (Pam), 12 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren, his big brother Ken his wife May, numerous nieces and nephews, brother-in-law Doug Dodds (Bev) and sisters-in-law, Linda Clearwater (Clint), Dianne Maguire (Harold). Tom is reunited in heaven with his parents, Harold and Gertie (Reid) and his dear sister Elsie, many dear friends and family members. First and foremost Tom was a loving husband and Dad, and is remembered as a good neighbour, great friend and devoted family man. Running a close second to his love for family and friends was farming. He was a farmer through and through with the harvest being his favourite time of year. Tom was a true sportsman enjoying hunting ducks, geese and deer and in the early years he played hockey and fastball with Regent, baseball with Elgin Cubs and in the winter seldom missed a bonspiel. After we were married Tom worked construction out of Brandon but his calling to farm was strong and in 1960 we bought our farm where we raised our growing family. Farming was a family affair and as the kids grew up they helped out in many ways, working along side Tom and I, with the cattle, chickens, baling, on the land and with the household duties. In 1990 we moved to Elgin and our youngest son, Gary, bought the farm and continues to run it today. Tom still enjoyed helping on the farm in busy times and loved nothing better than driving the combine. Tom drove a school bus for numerous years and always enjoyed the kids he drove to and from school. Over the years since he retired from driving the bus, he remained interested in their lives and achievements. Always involved in community Tom was a life long volunteer active on the building committees of the rinks and hall, serving on the Elgin town board and on the Board of Stewards for the Elgin United Church. Tom believed in community and worked hard to keep Elgin alive, vibrant and beautiful. His love for history was displayed through his involvement with the Museum. His passion and determination saw an authentic Soddy constructed near the museum and moving in of an operational windmill close by. Tom loved home and was reluctant to ever leave for any length of time but so enjoyed short trips away with one highlight being in 1970 on a family vacation to the west coast and in 1986 a trip to the British Isles. He was a real handyman who could fix anything with a chainsaw, caulking compound, haywire, baling twine, duct tape and lately silicone, Gorilla glue and Gorilla tape. Waste not, want not was his philosophy. Tom was an awesome man, fun loving and always there to help someone in need with a willing hand. He will be greatly missed by all whose hearts he touched and lives he enriched. Tom will be remembered for his warm heart, loving ways, his sense of humour and fun, his friendly, happy, ready smiles, his sincere kindness, his warming and loving hugs and his genuine interest in the lives of those around him. He loved to play tricks on any unexpecting person and relished making others happy. Tom’s life has left so many memories of a life well lived will be treasured forever. The tears due to his passing would be outnumbered by the smiles of how he impacted all of us.

As published in Brandon Sun on May 27, 2017