Charles Robinson

January 1, 1924 – March 9, 2009
Charlie passed into the presence of the Lord on Monday, March 9, 2009 at 3 pm in his favorite chair, from complications of a short struggle with cancer. He was with his family and was 85.
Charlie was born in small town in the Ukraine on January 1, 1924, to Tony and Tina Stebelski. The family immigrated to Fort William – Port Arthur, Ontario in 1931 to seek a better life. When the family moved to Victoria in 1941, Tony opened his shoemaking business and the family name was changed to Robinson. It was much easier to be accepted into the business community having an anglicized family name. Charlie had an elder sister, Stella and four younger brothers, Ted (Red), Eddie, Walter, and Joe. Charlie was the eldest son. Surviving siblings are Walter and Joe.
Charlie was proud of his wartime service, 1943-1947. Following the war he sought further education at The Vancouver School of Barbering. He always wanted to work for himself. He lived by his own advice when he opened his own Barber Shop at Hillside and Quadra. He operated the business at the same location for 42 years. Charlie had a huge, successful and loyal clientele. He specialized though, in 2 styles of hair cuts; short and shorter. After work Charlie and Ted would cruise on their Harley’s and impress the local ladies. They frequented the Empress Hotel where he met Elodie Schellinck. She was smitten with Charlie or maybe it was that 1949 Harley Davidson, they were married on March 26, 1951 in Victoria.
Charlie was a happy go lucky kind of guy, had many interests, enjoyed many activities, including a good game of Solitaire. He was a very talented oyster shucker, you had to have the “knack.” He loved to travel and did most of it after he and Elodie retired in 1990. His favorite destinations were Bali and St. Petersburg Square in Moscow.
He enjoyed music of all kinds from Pavarotti to Harry Belafonte. Charlie always wanted to be trained as a singer. He enjoyed a good John Wayne western and any National Geographic show, Charlie appreciated God’s creation.
His project in his later retirement years was restoring the 1964 emerald green Cadillac 4 door sedan deVille. It was pure pride and joy for him to accomplish this with Shawn. Charlie’s dad, Tony passed it onto him. He was so proud of it.
Charlie loved to be around people. He usually had a big embellished story to tell; maybe too good a story. He would give you an opinion anytime you needed it about politics, social issues and current events. His sense of humor and straightforward attitude made you want to be around him.
Charlie is survived by wife Elodie of 57 years, sons Bruce (Maureen), Mark (Laura), Shawn (Carmen), and daughter Dana (Jim).Charlie had 6 grandchildren Megan (1981-1988), Erin, Sarah, Leigh, Kirk and Claire.
A mass will be held at St Patrick’s Church, 2060 Haultain Street at noon Friday March 13, 2009. Father Hill to officiate. The Mass will be followed with a graveside burial at Royal Oak Cemetery. No grave flowers, donations can be made to The Salvation Army Victoria ARC or The St. Vincent De Paul Society.
Our sincere thanks are extended to Drs. Frank Egan, Jeff Mccracken and John Kinahan, hospice nurses Matthew, Carol, Susan, and Beacon Services. Their genuine commitment to Charlie’s care was exemplary.