January 21, 1928 - July 9, 2020
Robin passed away peacefully July 9, 2020 in Langley, B.C. His children, Mary, Donna, Hugh and Stu were able to visit him in his last few hours.
Robert Edward Blair was born in Kamloops, the third child of Robert (Bob) McDonald Blair and Janet Glover Blair (nee Buchanan), who were living in 100 Mile House at that time. The family settled in Williams Lake shortly after, where Robin spent most of his life.
Robin grew up in Williams Lake with his sister, Iris, and brothers, Jim, Alan, and Ramsay. He roamed the valley and developed a life-long passion for fishing and hunting.
Robin was involved in the community with The Stampeders Hockey Club, Kiwanis, and the Stampede Association. In 1957 he married Joy Chesser, a public health nurse from Ontario, who was also a member of the WL flying club and community theatre.
Robin took over the Williams Lake Imperial Oil distribution business from his father and brother Jim until selling it in 1972, when he and Joy packed up the family and moved to New Zealand and Australia. Robin missed his home town and the family returned in 1974, where he worked as a real estate salesman and then started Blair Lumber with his brothers Ramsay and Alan.
Throughout his life, the pull of the Chilcotin shaped his career choices. Whether driving oil or lumber trucks, or in the real estate business, he always found a way to travel out west, socializing along the way.
Retiring from the lumber business, in the 80's he devoted his time to gardening, woodworking, hunting, fishing, and travelling across Canada and the North with Joy. Robin and Joy were always there to help someone in need, visiting the sick or aged, delivering Meals on Wheels, or providing a place to stay.
One of Dad's favorite places was a small lake in the West Chilcotin, where he established a cabin in the 1970's. Many a good hour was spent there with Joy, children, grandchildren, friends and family from near and far, fishing, hunting, or sharing a story or two around the fire.
After Joy passed in 2011, Robin lived with his daughter Mary and her husband Peter until moving into the Seniors Village where he continued to visit friends and family. The wild fires of 2017 forced him to evacuate to Langley, where he remained to live near his sons.
He is survived by his four children, Mary (Peter) Montgomery, Donna (Guy) Johnson, Hugh Blair, and Stuart (Kristin) Blair, as well as his twelve grandchildren, Lisa (Bryon) Black, Will (Janna) Meeks, Fiona (Jesse) Hughes, Matt (Erin) Johnson, Derek (Justine) Johnson, Christopher (Cynthia Dryka) Johnson, Connor Maultsaid-Blair, Linden Maultsaid-Blair, Jason Blair, Donovan Blair, Sean Blair, and Liam Blair. And his ten great grandchildren, Kayne, Sam, Mackenzie, Lyla Joy, Eli, Luke, Jonah, Emersyn, Judah, Everett as well as many nieces and nephews.