Arthur Berry Robinson Sr.

Arthur Berry Robinson Sr., 90, passed away peacefully in his home on Applegate Lane in Providence, Friday, July 27, 2018. He was born to the late Bertie Mae Tollett-Robinson and the late Joseph Robinson Sr. in Fort Worth, TX on October 24, 1927. He was raised in Fort Worth as the third child of 6, he was predeceased by his siblings; Joseph Robinson Jr., Forrest Robinson, Thomas Robinson, Wilburn Robinson and Jean Robinson-Hamilton-Smith. 

When he was eighteen years old, he joined the United States Navy, which eventually brought him to Rhode Island where he was stationed in Charlestown. He met Dorothy Fay Northup and they were married on March 12, 1948 in Westerly, RI at the tender age of 22. They travelled Rhode Island together, Westerly, Hope Valley, South Bridge, MA and White Rock, RI... after a short stay in Boston, MA a hospital stay in Providence brought them back where they set down their roots and raised their children on Applegate Lane in 1979.

Arthur and Dorothy are survived by ten children; Olison "Ollie" Best; Arthur "Artie" Robinson Jr., Eric Robinson, Donnie Robinson, Desiree "Desi" Robinson Abrahams, Jaymie "Jay" Robinson, Kimberly "Kim" Robinson, Dean "Dinky" Robinson, Gwendolyn "Penny" Robinson and Joseph "Jody" Robinson. They achieved their goal for a large family as Dorothy wanted six and Arthur wanted four - so they called it even at ten!

Arthur worked several jobs in and out of Providence but once joining the team at Saint Joseph's Hospital and Our Lady of Fatima, he stayed there for 22 years as a Maintenance Man and Painter until 1992 when he retired. 

He was a fisherman and was often found in Jamestown and other local fishing hotspots where he knew he'd find the best catches. But on the rainy days where fishing would've been too cumbersome, he was often in his garage tinkering with his cars, leaving them in better shape than when he started. He was an avid gardener at home and made his home beautiful with roses, vegetables, and fruit trees. 

Arthur was not a church goer, but he did watch the Sunday morning services on the television and radio sermons afterwards. He read his bible often and would often quote it to his children if he was displeased with their behaviours. 

Memories found them quahogging in the summer months, taking them out late at night on hot summer nights for a wild drive in the country along the many beaches, Drive-In Movies or milder drives through the night just to get his restless children to sleep. They often visited Gramma Keena and Everett Johnson's home in Charlestown, where they would be free to enjoy the wild outdoors which Charlestown is known best for. To remember their Native heritage, Arthur and Dorothy took their children to the Annual August Meeting Day in the Charlestown Reservation which involved a massive Clam Bake and sometimes an overnight stay on Charlestown Beach with Uncle "Fat Boys" and Uncle "Dudes" families, they sat by a huge fire and enjoyed the simpler things in life. In their later years, the boys would go fishing with Arthur and afterwards, the whole family would go to Roger Williams Park where they would enjoy the merry-go-rounds or they would make the trip to Rocky Point Park in Warwick with their Uncle "Fat Boy" and his family.

Arthur loved Airplanes... he enjoyed watching reruns of the Blue Angels and other teams. Every year he went to the Quonset Air Show and when it was the off season, sometimes he would pack the family up just to watch the airplanes at T.F. Green take off and come in. His eyes were always to the sky. 

As he progressed in his years, he would spend more time fishing at Roger Williams with his grandchildren though sometimes he would just sit quietly in the park, appreciating all of the life around him. Suddenly, Arthur began to develop Alzheimer's which inhibited his ability to not only care for himself, but to do the things he once loved so dearly. He was no longer able to drive himself around as he was often lost in the state and he was eventually encouraged to give up his license. In August of 2008, Dorothy died.. this shattered Arthur and their family. Soon afterwards, Kim moved in to help him with his day to day needs, she stayed for two years before switching out with Desi, she stayed for four years and Penny moved in and helped him until his death. 

Aside from his ten children, he leaves a huge family. Grandchildren: Gregory Scott Best, Jerred Austin Best, Kristie Jai Best, Arthur Berry Robinson III, Shane Jeffery Robinson, Samantha Fay Robinson, Natasha Walker, Ricky Brewster, Shawn Brewster, Erica Yvonne Harris, twins Ebony and Erin Duarte, Erika Gardener, Jai'La Stuckey, Seren Robinson, Oluwakemi "Kemi" Robinson, Kristen Arie Robinson, Emmanuel Sheriff Robinson, Joshua Joseph Robinson, Jaymie Brian Robinson, Brianna Chance Robinson, Amber Janile Robinson, Brandy Annette Robinson, Dean Ashton Gonsalves, Daren Alton Forbes, D-Arcy Robinson, twins, Derick and Dwayne Fullmer, Dean Walker, Deana Thomas, Deven Sullivan, Devon-Clay Smith, Keshon Robinson, Destiny Nicole Robinson, Rayna Michelle Robinson, Candyn Pearl Robinson, Tara Arie Jefferies, Jody Aron Jefferies and Aaron Joseph Jefferies. He was predeceased by grandchildren: Saheed Orisumade Robinson, Craig Alton Robinson and Dion Robinson.. He also leaves to mourn him a host of Great-Grandchildren, Great-Great-Grandchildren, and Great-Great-Great-Grandchildren... with two more on the way! He was the eldest of five Generations, and his absence will be greatly felt by those whom had the privilege of knowing and loving him. 

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