John M. Robinson - Retrospect

In most societies like ours there are some members who make time to give a generous contribution of service to maintain the activities the Society sponsors.

Some thirty years ago we were fortunate enough to attract John Robinson as a member. John served as an officer on the Board of Directors from 1955; was President in 1961-62 and has continued as an Honorary Life Director to this date. John and his wife Vivienne, both served on all the important committees and as good gardeners they exhibited flowers and plants in almost every one of our shows; they won many prizes and trophies: hosted social occasions and donated generously from their large garden. John maintained an active interest in the Society's Year Book from the early 1960's and revived it several times. The judging of our Garden Competition kept both John and Vivienne busy for many years. They looked at hundreds of gardens each year, scoring them till the final visit judged which were best, and the winners given Trillium Certificates.

John continued his service after Vivienne died in 1982, showing the best of his flowers, running the garden competition and supporting the Year Book Committee until he was laid low by a stroke, from which he is now recovering slowly.

On Dec. 5, 1984, four Society members traveled to Kingston to visit John and to present him with an Honorary Life Membership in the Society. Horticultural Society Officers and Members salute John M. Robinson for his unselfish contribution to our programme of public activities. Many a garden is adorned with plants from his garden: many a Day-lily flowers along our country roads because he planted them there; many times he made our flower shows a success. We salute him with affection, pray for his recovery and hope to see his smile again before too long.

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