Bernard Robinson

On June 11, 2023, Bernard T. Robinson Sr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, storyteller, and everyone's favorite leprechaun passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family at the age of 85. 

Bernie was born and raised in New York, NY on November 26, 1937, to the late Michael and Alice Robinson. It was there that he met the love of his life, Patricia Robinson (née Smith), at the age of five while boxing in the hallway of their parents’ apartment building (yes, Patricia kicked his butt because, as Bernie always said, “Ohhhh! She’s from Hell’s Kitchen!”). He and Patricia later reunited, married in 1959, and moved to Piscataway, NJ, in 1970, where they raised their four children.

Bernie proudly served our country in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1963.  His father was a truck driver for Otis Elevator and facilitated Bernie’s acceptance into Local #1 International Union of Elevator Constructors, Long Island City, NY, as an elevator mechanic. He was a proud member of Local #1 for 43 years, starting in December of 1958, and retiring in 2001. He remained an active honorary retired member for years thereafter, and helped all three of his sons and, by extension, three of his eldest grandsons get their start and find success in the elevator business.

Bernie spent much of his free time coaching his sons’ Piscataway Little League baseball teams, and later enjoyed watching his grandchildren playing their choice of sports – baseball, basketball, soccer, ice hockey or dance – Baba, as his grandchildren call him, was always on the sidelines cheering them on, yelling “Go Girl!” at dance competitions and telling a story to anyone that would listen, and even those who didn’t want to. He was always up to take a “facie”, better known to the rest of the world as a selfie, with his grandkids. He had his own “Baba-isms” that will forever make us smile, “Are you freakin’ kidding me?!?”, “Look at me Pot o’ Gold!”, “Over the lips and through the gums…”, “You can’t fly on one wing”, “Wooden ships and Iron Men”, and our all-time favorite “Love you Whole Bunch.”

Bernie is predeceased by his son, Bernard T. Robinson, Jr.  He is survived by his wife of 64 years, Patricia; his son Michael, Sr. and wife Amie of Flemington; his son Christopher, Sr. and wife Colleen of Green Brook; his daughter Dorothy and husband Andrew of Middlesex; his grandchildren Alyssa, Christopher, Jr. (and wife Carlie), Michael, Jr., Caelynn, Shane, Brianna, AJ, Emelie, Thomas, and Aiden; and his great-granddaughter Vail.

We love you whole bunch!

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to:

Local #1 IUEC Pipes and Drum Band

c/o Tim Connors

5 Watson St.

East Islip, NY 11730

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