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-laws, 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.
So sorry to hear of the loss of your husband/father. Our hearts go out to you at this very sad time. He will be dearly missed by all that knew him. Always with that grin on his face , he was the best of the best!!
Our deepest sympathy to Margie and all of the family. Tom was an awesome man, fun loving and always there to help someone in need of a hand. He will be greatly missed by all those whose hearts he touched. God Bless you all.
Julia Vodden, Dean, Dwayne and Darren and their families.
Sending hugs and love to each and every one of you. Uncle Tom will be fondly remembered for his warm heart, friendly smile and his sincere kindness. He was certainly a blessing to our family and I will always cherish my interactions with him.
God bless.
Our deepest sympathies to your family. Ken and Linda Ryckman
We are very sorry to hear of your loss. Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
Jean Draper, Doug, Barbie and their families
my condolences to the robbins families sorry to hear of toms passing .has been a number of years since I have seen him but any time I met him when I returned to elgin always enjoyed talking with him .may he rest in peace
So sorry to hear of the passing of Uncle Tom. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His happy smile and teasing manner is something I will always treasure. Our hearts are with you Aunt Margie and all the family.
Love from Donna and John and family
Sincere condolences to the family.
Paul & Bonnie Armitage
Thinking of you, Margie and all the family at this time of loss of a special man. Tom always cheered for us and we are grateful to have known him. Peace be with you.
Beryl Maguire, Tim, Laura and their families
Our thoughts and prayers to the Robbins family. To Kathy we always heard you speak of your family with love and pride. Keep the memories close to your heart. Where your dad will always be. God Bless
Love Frank and Deb bauche
Our deepest sympathy to you Margie and family. Gary, you had a wonderful father. Our prayers and blessings to all.
Ed & Lynn Boulanger
Our sincere sympathy to you and your family.
My thoughts are with all of you. I am pleased to have had the honor of knowing Tom and I hope your many fond memories will sustain you through this time. Ida Cudmore
Sincerest sympathy to Margie and family. Treasure all those memories. He was a wonderful man and will be missed.
Sympathy to the family,we will miss him and his smiling, happy face.
Our sincerest sympathy on the loss of your Husband, Father and Grandfather.
Penny & Bob Schoonbaert
To the Robbins Family, we are very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely, Ed and Myrna Beare
Our deepest sympathy to you Aunt Margie and the entire Robbins family.
We were very sorry to hear of Uncle Tom’s passing. I will always remember and treasure his smile, happy disposition as well as his ability to provide a room full of laughs on many occasions.
Although we won’t be there in person on Saturday you will be in our thoughts as you honor a truly wonderful man!
Love Tracey, Ian, Josh, Aynsley and Madyson Brown
We were saddened to hear of Tom’s passing. Thinking back reminded us of
the great times we shared doing school, fastball and life together. Tom’s gentle ways and subtle humour enriched all of us.
Our prayer for you, Margie and family, is that tears due to his passing would be outnumbered by smiles of how he impacted all of us.
Our sympathies to each of you.
Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. He was truly one of a kind and I will cherish so many wonderful memories of Uncle Tom. His humor, his kindness and his love for Aunt Margie and his family was something that everyone can take a lesson from. May you all take comfort in the fact that he touched so many people and strength from support near and far. We will be thinking of you all as you embark on such a difficult day and the days to come. Much love and hugs to you all xoxox
Cori, Aaron,Brayden,Kenzie and Cole Mclean
Our deepest condolences.
Gord and Rosalie White
Our thoughts and prayers are with each and everyone of your family. Tom will be missed by many. Keep your fondest memories of him close to your hearts. With our deepest sympathy Jack and Barb Barrows
Our sympathies to you in your loss. Tom was such a kind and gentle man. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.