Gary J. Robinson
NEW BRITAIN Gary J. Robinson, 81 of New Britain, CT, beloved husband of Dolores (Gola) Robinson, passed away on Saturday October 7th, 2023, in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Gary was born in Manhattan, New York, raised in The Bronx, and eventfully attended Brooklyn Technical High School where he claims to have had the best educational experiences of his life. His early life was occupied with the Cub and Boy Scouting leading to becoming an Eagle Scout. A highlight of his youth was a family move to live in Greece for a year and a half. Gaining a broad knowledge of the Mediterranean Countries while sailing to and from Greece carried his future interest in world travel.
In his early years he became interested in electronics and became a ham radio amateur (K2QIA then K1UDW) that kept him in touch with various forms of technology and even working on punched card equipment and computers for the remainder of his life, broadening out to many facets of the electrical and electronic trades. Upon graduating from high school, he joined the New York Air National Guard and was trained as a radio repairman (later moving to the Connecticut Air National Guard) being honorably discharged as a Staff sergeant. He had moved to Connecticut to attend the University of New Haven (New Haven College) and finally attended Yale School of Public Health (School of Medicine). As part of his graduate work he was an Administrative Resident at Montefiore Hospital and Medical Center in The Bronx, after which he returned to Connecticut.
Having earned his degrees in Industrial and Hospital Administration he worked for IBM in Medical Sales and Services, later with a partner formed a computer programming consulting firm that morphed into a low voltage cabling company in New Britain. Along the way he was involved with many business and volunteer activities including being issued a U.S. Patent, operated a construction company, operated a broad range of residential and commercial real estate, Leadership New Britain Graduate, Past President of the New Britain Chamber of Commerce, participant and ultimately leader of Vision New Britain (Vision 2000), worked on saving Trinity-on-Main (former Trinity United Methodist Church), involved in the New Britain Sister City Committee, served on the Board of Managers of the New Britain Institute, City Building Commissioner, Franco American War Veterans Post 26, strong supporter of TRIAD New Britain, a Life Member of Elks-957, a Life Member American Radio Relay League, a board member of the New Britain Youth Museum, Board of Directors Neighborhood Housing Services of NB, and a proud member of the Saturday Night Club of New Britain.
Gary is survived by his wife of 41 years, Dolores, his daughter Kris Robinson of East Hampton and Grandchildren Emily and Kevin Robinson, and his brother Thomas (Phyllis) Robinson of Putnam Valley, NY. Dolores brought a large family along with her, mostly in Pennsylvania: sisters and two more generations of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Anna Margaret Robinson (Nee Schmitt) and Thomas Francis Robinson, and his son Erik. Gary always liked to figure out the mechanics of everything, therefore he donated his body to medical science.
A Celebration of Life is planned for a future date. Arrangements entrusted to the Corcoran Funeral Home, Inc., 20 South Main Street, Plains, PA 18705. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Trinity-On-Main, 69 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051 or to the charity of one’s choice.
To leave Gary’s family a message of condolence, please visit www.corcoranfuneralhome.com.
We would like to thank all of those who donated in the memory of Gary Robinson to help support Trinity on Main. We have raised over $3000.00 so far.