JOHN M. ROBINSON

(1941 – 2026) On March 1, 2026, John passed away unexpectedly, after several years of decreasing health. John was born in Toronto on April 20, 1941, and grew up and went to school in Edmonton, Winnipeg, and Toronto. He attended the University of Western Ontario, receiving a BA and an MA in History. He attended University College, University of London, England, where he did PhD studies (incomplete) in History. John joined the Canadian government in 1968 as a member of the Department of External Affairs (now Global Affairs Canada). As well as working in Ottawa, he served overseas in Geneva, Switzerland; Kingston, Jamaica (twice); and Abidjan, Ivory Coast. Among his assignments were two years as Canadian Executive Director at the African Development Fund (1977-79) and Deputy Director of the division dealing with Economic Relations in Developing Countries in 1979-80 and again in 1981. After working on the Ottawa Economic Summit (September 1980 - July 1981), first as Director of Plans and Liaison and later as Director for Media Relations, John joined the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in November 1981 as Senior Country Program Director, Americas Branch, with specific responsibility for Canada's aid program in the Caribbean. From August 1985 to August 1993, he was Vice-President of the Americas Branch. He was subsequently the Vice-President, Policy Branch of CIDA, from September 1993 to August 1999. From 1999 to 2003, John was the Canadian High Commissioner in Jamaica, with concurrent accreditation as High Commissioner to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and Belize. This was a posting that he loved and where he developed a close circle of friends. John retired from Jamaica to Vancouver, BC, in 2003, where he continued his public service involvement, serving on several boards, and where again he developed a close community of friends and former colleagues. He loved music and theatre and was a strong supporter of the Vancouver Opera and the Stratford Festival. Predeceased by his sister, Jane, he will be sadly missed by his sister, Nancy (Jeff); his brother, Sandy; and many friends and colleagues in Canada and around the globe. John spent his last few years at Amica Lions Gate Seniors Lifestyles in West Vancouver, where he received wonderful care. In keeping with John's wishes, there will be no funeral service. If desired, donations may be made to the Alzheimer Society.