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Robin Cullum Obituary
It is with great sorrow we announce the death of Robin Alexander Cullum, who passed away peacefully at Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital after a rapid decline in health.
Robin was the beloved husband of 30 years to Karen Kirby-Cullum, and loving father to sons Paul and Mark (Lindsay) Cullum, stepsons Ian and Jason Kirby and stepdaughter Sarah Kirby. He was the very proud granddad to Sean, Rachel and Katie and a dear brother to his sister Angela Cullum.
Robin will be remembered by many friends and relatives in the UK, USA, and New Zealand as well as in Canada. He will also be missed by his first wife Pamela Currie.
Robin was born in London, England, but spent his adult life in Canada after venturing west to attend McGill University in the 1960s. His working life consisted of periods of teaching and later the federal public service which never was as exciting as his time with CUSO in Tanzania. Robin was noted for his dry wit, known for his quirky behaviour and almost made famous by his world travels which frequently included an unplanned stop over in an exotic hospital.
Following Robin's wishes there will be a private interment at a later date.
For those wishing to express sympathy, the family would appreciate donations to any of the Canadian Liver Foundation, the Canadian Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders or the Ottawa Humane Society.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
48 Entries
January 13, 2018
Dear Karen and Family,
Robin was one of those guys who left a significant impact on you even with the little time you have spent with him. It saddens us we were not able to catch up more with you and Robin.
Michele & JR Tremblay
Mikyong Yoon
January 6, 2018
Robin, may you rest in peace!
Missing you...
December 4, 2017
I met Robin in early 1982 when I returned to the anti-dumping office from an overseas assignment. It was wonderful to meet such a fun loving guy at that time as it was very difficult for me to adapt back into the large bureaucracy. Both of us always zeroed in on the many funny and strange things happening both in the office and the world at large. I was part of the group of four lads who enjoyed taking in many dinners and lunches over the years with Robin. Our discussions were always lively and a lot of fun. Needless to say, I and the others who knew Robin will surely miss his great sense of humour. My sincere sympathies are with you Karen, Mark and Paul and your families at this very difficult time.
Richard Lane
Ray Ayoub
December 4, 2017
Dear Karen and Family,
My mother and I were sad to hear of Robin's passing. Our deepest condolences to the Cullum family in their time of sorrow. Robin will definitely be missed around the neighbourhood. His very entertaining quick wit and humour always made me smile. I'm glad that his recent health issues are no longer a strain on him and his loved ones. Robin is now at peace. May his Memory Be Eternal.
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Maureen O'Hara
November 29, 2017
Hello Karen
We were sad to hear that Robin had passed. We will always remember his great curiosity and fierce wit. It is a tough time and out hearts go out to you. The neighbours- Maureen & Paul
Linda Orr
November 27, 2017
Thinking of you at this time, Karen. My deepest sympathies.
November 27, 2017
Karen, so sorry to hear of Robin's passing. Liz kindly called me yesterday. I think of you, Robin and Liz as my summer, cottage friends, always very interesting conversations and wonderful neighbours. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Sincerely, Carol and Jerry Brownlee.
Maria, Manuel & Nancy Pereira
November 24, 2017
Our deepest sympathies go out to you Karen in this most difficult time. May your memories of your time with Robin bring you comfort.
Maria, Manuel and Nancy Pereira
Linda and David Wieland
November 23, 2017
With sympathy for your loss, we remember Robin's quiet and quirky sense of humour. We shared many social events, including fondue dinners at his home. We especially recall with fondness our trip to Hawaii with him and Karen. We remember his amusement when he and David were assumed to be a gay couple when they rented a car together there. We will miss Robin.
November 23, 2017
Heartfelt condolences Karen and family.Our deepest sympathies and prayers.
Alan and Toni.
Wally Hutchings
November 22, 2017
Dear Karen
We were saddened to hear about Robin's passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. Kindest regards.
Barbara Scott
November 22, 2017
Dear Mark,
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your father. My sympathy to you, your mother and the rest of the family.
November 21, 2017
Karen,
My deepest sympathies to you and the family on the loss of Robin. He was your soulmate, and I know how truly difficult it will be to adjust to life without him. Hopefully, the pain of losing him will be eased by the many memories you have of times together, and in knowing that he will be missed by so many.
Liz Choros
November 21, 2017
Dear Karen & family: I extend heartfelt condolances to you and the family at this time of loss. You have many special memories of fun & world travel shared. Joanne E Ottawa (exercise buddy)
Jenness Sealy
November 21, 2017
My sympathies to you and your entire family, Karen. Stay strong and keep moving forward as I'm sure Robin would want you to do. Hold your memories close.
Jayne Simms-Dalmotas
November 21, 2017
Dear Karen,
Sincerest condolences to you and your family at this very sad time. Hoping that your memories of wonderful shared times with Robin will bring you peace and comfort.
Sharon Shields
November 21, 2017
Dearest Karen,
My heart goes out to you and your family during this very sad time. I will remember Robin's wit and dry sense of humour. May you find comfort and warmth from those around you.
Jocelyne Feldman
November 21, 2017
Karen - Phil and I are saddened to hear of Robin's passing. Our deepest condolences to you and your family.
Jocelyne & Phil Feldman
Barbi Wood
November 21, 2017
so sad, thinking of Karen and all the family at this sad time
Will Lockhart
November 21, 2017
I met Robin when I was 28 and started work for Canada Customs. I had just been backpacking around the world for 6 years. Robin was near retirement. I was surprised and happy to meet someone that was so interesting and had traveled on the cheap through so many countries. We became friends and remained so after he retired. He would come up to the cottage I was transforming into a house. He was there through that part of my life and when I met Kate. He and Karen were at our wedding. I have great memories of excellent roast beef dinners complete with Yorkshire Pudding at Robin's. He definitely added to my life and I am very happy to have known him.
Brian McGruther
November 20, 2017
I was very sad to hear of Robin's passing, he will be missed by all who new him. We had many interesting discussions about family, his exotic travels, and just life in general. A sad time for all who had the opportunity to know him.
Helen Taddeo
November 20, 2017
Dear Karen,
Sending you our deepest sympathies. May you find comfort in your memories.
Helen and Andy Taddeo and Family
Raghu Shingadia
November 20, 2017
I was very saddened to read about Robin. I will miss a true friend and colleague. He was extremely generous with his time, accompanying me to medical appointments at the
most difficult times of my life. We spent many lunch hours exchanging common experiences of Africa and our work here in Ottawa.
Darlene Provost
November 20, 2017
Karen, please accept my sincere condolences to you and your family and to Robin's family. My heart goes out to you at this difficult time. Darlene
Rhonda Dubois
November 20, 2017
Karen, our sincerest condolences to you and family. We will certainly miss Robin at the events - he always made us laugh. We wish you peace in your heart and we are thinking about you. Take care...Rhonda, Rayne and the Dubois family.
Sonya Kirby
November 20, 2017
I have very fond memories of Robin. He will be missed. So sorry for your loss Karen.
Katrina & Mathieu
November 19, 2017
We're very saddened to learn of Robin's passing. We both have several fond memories of him, especially many lively discussions over dinner. Our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Kathleen Higgins
November 19, 2017
Dear Karen: I am very sad to hear about
Robin's passing away last week. Everyone who knew him will miss him, I know. We did not meet very often but I have many good memories of his good humour and interest in what I was doing and thinking in life. Particularly his pleasure in sharing the solution to crossword puzzles!
Please accept my deepest sympathy on the loss of your dear life companion and partner.
With my wishes for your peace and comfort, as time goes by,
Kay Higgins.
Joan Katz
November 19, 2017
Karen,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
Joan Katz
William Wood
November 19, 2017
This morning I picked up my fiddle and played "The lament for Archie Beaton".
-the saddest tune I know -and the tears fell for the passing of my long-time friend Robin Cullum.
I met Robin at McGill in the fall of 1963 and to this day consider him the world's most interesting personality . I was so proud to take him home for Thanksgiving 1963 to my family and friends in Grimsby with his suave London accent, his diagonal thinking, droll wit intensely curious intellect and his continental fashion. I am so thankful for our long friendship.
Anyone who knows the story of Robin's subtle progressive morphing of his new cable bill from Miller to Cullum to avoid paying a new connection fee will gladly testify to his inventive genius and out-of- boundary thinking.
Good- bye to one of my oldest and dearest friends. The world will not be the same without you. You have enriched my life to the greatest extent and I am sad that I haven't told you that. We will continue to share all those famous Robin Cullum stories.
My condolences to Karen, Paul , Mark and all our mutual friends.
William E. Wood
November 19, 2017
Karen, my sincere condolences to you and your family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Donna Boudreau
Judy and Don Belanger
November 19, 2017
Karen - our sincere condolences to you and your family on the loss of your husband, father, grandfather. You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
November 19, 2017
It has been my pleasure to have known Robin over the years.
Enjoyed our conversations together, the offbeat humour and his innate optimism even when in precarious health.
Sympathy to his family and those I knew; Karen, Mark, Paul, Ian Jason and Sarah.
Mike Jackson and Leona Rooney
Iqbal Motani
November 19, 2017
I was saddened to hear of Robin's passing away. Deepest condolences and prayers that his soul may rest in eternal peace.
Linda Wormald
November 19, 2017
My thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. We had such wonderful memories of the fun times at the annual WCP horse shows .
I am so sorry for your loss, I know Liz is devastated losing her dear friend (brother); and know she is there for you.
Karen Rayburn
November 19, 2017
So sorry Karen for your loss. Our thought and prayers are with you..You were true blue my dear through thick and thin..your devotion can hopefully comfort you through these dark days to come.HUGS
November 19, 2017
Karen - My deepest sympathies on your loss. Sandra from tennis
Soraya Silvestri
November 19, 2017
Karen, my sincere condolences to you and your family.
Hawon Hong
November 19, 2017
Condolences from Korea. Robin and Karen are my memory of Canada. I just cannot believe I cannot see him any more. I always thought I could see him someday. But he is never gone in my memory. May my sincere hearts be with you, Karen.
Gillian & David Campbell
November 18, 2017
We were so sad to hear of Robin's death. We had the chance to get to know him over the course of many of Mark & Lindsay's parties and had grown fond of him and his wry sense of humour. I will especially remember that he was responsible for my first (and probably only) taste of durian fruit cookies. They were really yucky but it shows Robin's adventurous spirit that he had them on offer. Our deepest condolences to the family.
Faith and Jim
November 18, 2017
We are so sorry for your loss. We will miss Robin's wit and remember all the fun filled occasions we shared with lots of laughter and joy.
Sally Bradley
November 18, 2017
Karen, my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family at this time. Such wonderful memories of fun times are now yours to treasure forever. My fondest memories of Robin are when we sometimes shared our birthdays courtesy of Liz, the best being the one when we went on the sleigh ride around Liz's home and down to the river and the park. That night was magical for me and I know it was for Robin. I am so sorry for your loss, lean on friends and family at this difficult time and know they are there for you.
Sarah Andersen
November 18, 2017
We send our sympathy and love from England to Mark, Paul, Karen and all the rest of the family. We will always remember Robin with affection.
Warren Brown
November 18, 2017
Funny, quirky, kind and intelligent. A breath of fresh air in a world that takes itself too seriously. I miss him already!
David Mason
November 18, 2017
I will always cherish the fun times with Robin and Karen as they visited my mother and me sailing on the beautiful St Lawrence River. Robin was a kind and gentle soul.
November 18, 2017
Our sincere sympathy to Mark and all the family.
Des and Diane
November 18, 2017
I am so very sad to say goodbye to Robin. He was a very dear friend and like a Big Brother to me. We met in the Anti-dumping unit of customs and excise and developed a friendship that lasted over 35 years. We enjoyed many happy times together - oh so many i can't recount. Robin was special and like two girlfriends we could chat on the phone for hours. he always took an interest in my life - no matter what i was into. His Birthdays were always special and we would try to find a place that served roast beef and yorkshire pudding but Robin's "yorkies" were the Best.
It is hard to think of never seeing Robin again especially at Dalhousie Lake. Oh how he loved that outdoor shower and the cottage.
Sincere sympathy to Karen and Family.
Elizabeth White
Ottawa
Don Orth
November 18, 2017
My condolences to Robin's family. I worked with Robin in the federal public service and enjoyed many meals with Robin along with some of some of his other friends. His wonderful sense of humour and quirky outlook on life will be greatly missed.
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