Colin Robinson was born into a naval family which eventually settled in Emsworth when he was in his teens. He went to school at Churcher’s College and joined the Royal Navy as an Engineer Cadet in 1945.  After qualification he spent 6 years in engineering sea appointments serving in aircraft carriers and cruisers.  During this time he met Dawn Horton and they were married in St Thomas a Becket, Warblington in 1949.  Sea appointments in cruisers, a destroyer and finally HMS FEARLESS were interspersed with shore jobs at Bath, Poole and the Artificer Training Establishment, HMS FISGARD at Torpoint.  He then spent several years at the Ministry of Defence in London with responsibilities for operations, personnel and training. 

After retiring from the navy as a Captain in 1982 he and Dawn settled in Funtington, where they led a busy life in the community.  For a few years Colin was a bursar at a local school, and then he set up business as a picture restorer specialising in antique watercolours, maps and prints.  This was a perfect match for his artistic eye, skill of hand and meticulous attention to detail.  He closed the business after ten rewarding years.  After two spells on the PCC he was appointed Churchwarden, St Mary’s Funtington from 2004 to 2007. 

In 2007 Colin and Dawn moved to Emsworth and thereafter attended St Thomas a Becket, Warblington.

After 12 years in Emsworth Colin and Dawn moved to Hindhead to be closer to family.

During his naval years the family always moved home to be together as much as possible, and in time the family grew to two sons, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren, plus several beagle dogs along the way. His interests were many and various, including family and friends, sailing, fine arts, music and opera, house and garden, collecting attractive things and walking the dog!