Forever in Our Hearts

Raymond Parker Robinson (Black Eagle), the youngest son of the late Charles Henry Robinson and Edith Leona (Bliss) Robinson, was born August 25, 1934, in West Kingston, Rhode Island. An elder of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Ray transitioned peacefully on February 13, 2026, surrounded by family and much love, at Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield.

Affectionately known as Ray, Gramps, Beepa, and Grandpa Brown, Ray graduated from South Kingstown grammar school on June 17, 1949, his class being the first high school students to enter the current South Kingstown High School.

Ray served in the U.S. Army National Guard in the late '50s and began his career as a jewelry maker at Dolan & Bullock, specializing in flawless gold cuff links. Ray went on to work at the University of Rhode Island at East Farms (URI), where he retired in 1999 after many years of service. Always committed to helping others, after retirement he worked part-time at Adeline LaPlante Memorial Center in Wakefield for several more years.

Following retirement from URI, Ray enjoyed international and domestic travel, especially his travels to Arizona, from Flagstaff to Yuma. His cherished moments included taking the historic Grand Canyon Railway from Williams, Arizona to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon. He also enjoyed cruising to the Caribbean and sitting on the deck with a Bahama Mama cocktail in hand.

Ray has always been friendly and giving. He touched the lives of those he met in very special ways. His humanitarianism was evidenced by his constant service to others. When he was out and about, he often ran into people who would thank him for helping them to obtain jobs at such companies as General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut due to his position as a VISTA supervisor.

Ray served on the South Kingstown School Committee (Republican), and he was a South Kingstown Town Sargent. He was on the CANE Board of Directors, which was instrumental in establishing the CANE Child Development Center in Wakefield, as well as other nonprofits such as the Jonnycake Center. Until his passing, Ray served in numerous positions on the Rhode Island Resource Conservation & Development Area Council (RC&D), from president to various roles on countless subcommittees, all with the goal of making Rhode Island a better place to live.

Throughout his fifty-three years on RC&D, he attended 90 percent of all the meetings. Ray received several awards, including the Distinguished Service Award, recognizing his many contributions of enhancement and protection of water quality in RI, and to its rural and economic development. Ray represented Rhode Island at the National Association of RC&D in 2007 in Ogden, Utah and in 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. RC&D recognized his unwavering dedication and long-standing affiliation, so much so that in 2008 the RI RC&D Baker/Robinson Conservation Award was created jointly in his name as well as another council member, Edward Baker.

Ray was most happy working with his hands, whether carving model wooden airplanes, adding a loft to his home, putting on a new roof, building a coffee table or sewing a simple medicine bag. His love for woodworking started as a young man, when he designed and created unique pieces, especially his famous walking canes, which were auctioned off at RC&D conferences for over $600. Each piece was carefully etched with precise markings, meticulously carved. Whatever he worked on had to be correct. Ray would not tolerate anything but accuracy. His attention to detail was shown in all of his work, even when digging drenches to install pipes for his childhood home in West Kingston.

Ray's hobbies included spending the day tuning his guitar or playing his keyboard while singing (he had a beautiful baritone voice) old Doo-Wop hits-many of them, tunes from when he was in the Velvetors, a local band that performed at nightclubs in Providence back in the day. Ray also loved black and white Westerns and could be found watching them every evening while sitting in his favorite recliner. But his most precious hobby was genealogy. He dedicated countless hours to his role as family historian, often visiting the Mesa Arizona FamilySearch Center, operated by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ray's special love of family history and research will be sorely missed.

Undisputedly fashionable, he was never seen without his cowboy hat. He was often mistaken for a Texan, especially when he wore his polished cowboy boots. This always made him chuckle, a departure from his otherwise quiet demeanor.

Ray is survived by many relatives and friends who cherish his memory: His steadfast partner, Ida D. McGhee of Richmond whom he first met at a New England Regional RC&D conference; his son Eugene (Victoria) Robinson of Coventry and his daughter Nadine (William) Brady of Wakefield; four granddaughters whom he adored: Jennifer Robinson, Angela (Richard) Drugan, Janee Robinson, and Taylor (Christopher) VonVillas; ten great grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren (a constant source of joy); numerous nephews, nieces; his bonus daughter Joy McGhee-Stewart and her daughters; other relatives, and remembering friends including Otis Bliss (Velvetors) and Ed Baker.

Besides his parents, Charles and Edith Robinson, Ray was predeceased by his son, Charles L. Robinson, brother Stanley Eugene Robinson, sisters Helen Walmsley, Norma Hazard and Shirley Perry, and his former wife and the mother of his children, Joanne Robinson.

Ray, a servant of God, was a quiet and strong pillar of the Robinson family whose presence brought comfort, guidance, and unconditional love to all who knew him. We are tearful in remembrance, yet not sorrowful in our souls for we realize that we mourn not his loss, but ours.

The Robinson family would like to express our sincere appreciation to Dr. Robert Casci and the medical staff at Narragansett Indian Health Center (Charlotte, Jennifer and Pearl) and special thanks to the nurses and staff at Elderwood of Scallop Shell at Wakefield for their care and support during Ray's rehabilitation and stay. Lastly, thank you to the Narragansett Indian Tribe, we are appreciative.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at the Avery-Storti Funeral Home, 88 Columbia Street, Wakefield, RI with a Celebration of Life to follow at 11:00 AM. Burial with military honors will follow in New Fernwood Cemetery, 3102 Kingstown Road (Rt. 138), Kingston, Rhode Island.