Henry A. Robinson

Henry A. Robinson, 87, of Durham passed away peacefully surrounded by family o­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­n­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ September 1, 2021 following a long illness.  Hank, as he was fondly called, was born to Arthur and Gertrude (Crowell) Robinson, on February 19, 1934, in Fall River, Massachusetts, where he grew up. A graduate of Boston University, Hank spent his professional career as an aeronautical engineer, traveling the world for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft for more than 30 years.

Hank was widely loved and respected by all who knew him, always ready to help a neighbor or stranger, no matter where or when he was needed. A man of many skills and interests, Hank was a long-time resident and active citizen of Durham where he served on numerous boards and commissions, including many years as chairman of Planning and Zoning and two elected terms as the town’s First Selectman. Over the years, he also devoted much time and energy to the Durham Fair’s photography, traffic control, and security departments. In his spare time, Hank loved all things mechanical from Scorpion GTs to airplanes of every vintage.

            Hank met his wife, Carol, at Pratt & Whitney, and they married on February 14, 1959. In addition to raising their three children, the couple enjoyed entertaining family and friends and traveling in their RV from Canada to California, Maine to Florida, and Alaska to Mexico.

            Hank is survived by Carol (Merwin), his wife of 62 years, and three children: Jeffrey (Janice) of Medfield, MA, John of Middletown, and Elizabeth of Groton, MA, and eleven grandchildren. He also leaves his brother, Oren Robinson (Pamela), of Rochester, MA, and a host of dear friends near and far.

            Gifts in Hank’s honor can be made to Middlesex Habitat for Humanity of CT, Inc., 34 Shunpike Road, Unit 12, Cromwell, CT 06416 or the Durham Public Library, 7 Maple Avenue, Durham, CT 06422. A memorial service will be announced at a future date.   To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Henry A. Robinson, please visit our floral store.