Alvin Allen ‘Al’ Robb

We enjoyed our visits with Al. We admired his kindness, dedication to his family, inquisitiveness and energy. Never complaining, he found the best in every situation. He will be remembered and missed. Lynn, you will miss your beloved Daddy. We pray for comfort and peace for you and are thankful for the friends close by who will support you during this time and in the future. Bob and Janet West

We will all miss Alvin for his energy, drive and fierce devotion to his family. He would move heaven and earth for Ina and Lynn. He was my uncle, but because he was a late bloomer in the Robb family after his older sister and brother, we were only 10 years apart in age. So, I have the great memories of the two of us with the same interests in music, though I would not necessarily include his Hawaiian guitar. I want to express my condolences to the rest of our family and, in particular, to the Brown family who were tirelessly supportive of Alvin for many years.

Alvin was a very special person. He was a loving husband to Ina and the best dad Lynn could ever have had. He gave of his life and was always there for them. For me he was an uncle and a good friend who will never be forgotten. I am going to miss our telephone chats and the reminiscing we had. We spent so many happy times together and I am left with lots of memories. My condolences go to all of Alvin's family and friends.

Alvin was a special uncle,lots of happy memories of visits to Canada and his visits to us all in Scotland He was devoted to my auntie Ina and dad to Lynn although not with us often in person often thought about Our condolences to all family and friends

I had the privilege of working with Al many years ago at CPRI. He was a truly gentleman and a caring compassionate caregiver to the clients we served. Sincere sympathy to his family.

I too had the privilege of working with Al at CPRI for many years. He was a very kind and gentle soul and a very dedicated employee. My condolences to his family.

My condolences to Al's family on the loss of a special father and friend. It is because of Al that I was able to maintain my friendship and connection with Lynn. Al made sure Lynn was able to call me weekly whenever possible. Al, Lynn and my husband were able to meet a one of Lynn's favorite restaurants last September and I will cherish that memory. He was devoted to Ina and Lynn, a very special man.

Alvin was a sweet, sweet man. I met him through my friendship with his daughter, Lynn. Alvin was such a caring and compassionate man, and I learned this very quickly through our brief interactions over the years. My sincerest condolences to Lynn and the rest of the family. Sending all my love.

Happy memories of a loved Uncle. Always enjoyed his trips to Scotland and visiting the Glens with him. He was a devoted husband and father to Ina and Lynn. Our condolences to Lynn, family and friends.

I've had the privilege of knowing Alvin for close to 7 years, initially as fellow church-goers on Sunday mornings, but for close to 5 years as his music teacher. Alvin had an amazing memory with regards to so many moments with his close and extended family. I never heard him speak an ill word about anyone, and he avoided gossip like the plague. From his teen years helping his father with chores on a farm near Owen Sound, due to his dad going steadily blind, while he struggled keeping his grades up in high school, he learned the value of perseverance and patience. He had a deep faith that the challenges he faced were a part of his life journey and he simply needed to make the best of things. He would never complain about his situation, despite a debilitating stutter and a walk that indicated he was often in pain. He had a huge compassion for others, and had fond memories of working at the CNIB camp close to Mactier as a young man, followed by college courses to enable to work helping others who had life challenges. He was compassionate towards those in his care and took delight in any way he could help make their lives better. He had a huge love of Ina, who he first met as a pen pal friend living in far away Scotland, and as we all saw, as a devoted and loving father to his daughter, Lynn. Despite the challenges that they faced when Ina developed MS, Alvin always tried to be positive about each day. "Oh well, he'd say in reflection, "that's just the way that it was and we all had to make the best of things." He had a huge love of music and had met more famous musicians than almost anyone I've known. During his years in Orillia, he lived 2 doors down from Gorgon Lightfoot, who as a young singer-songwriter Alvin would sometimes talk to and help out as he was packing up his trailer for another show. He met the London born, soon to be famous music producer Jack Richardson back in the late fifties, and Alvin wouldn't hesitate to call Jack and ask him what he thought of a new band coming to London. Jack would always give Alvin time, and would faithfully return phone messages Alvin left, even through the times he was producing the Guess Who and other major performers. This went on until Jack's death 9 years ago, and one sensed that the 2 were genuine phone friends. There was seldom more than a few months that would go by and Alvin, up until COVID closed things down, would take in another concert at the Budweiser Gardens, usually for a traditional rock or country artist. He loved to travel with his family and for many years made regular trips to Saskatchewan and Georgian Bay in a converted camper van that they all slept in. He travelled to Norway and Scotland every few years to visit relatives there, enjoying these times, after Ina's passing, with Lynn. He loved to play slide guitar and still used his slide bar and some finger picks from his teen years. He challenged himself to learn one new song every week, and almost without fail he accomplished this. He learned more Beatles tunes than anyone I've previously taught, and he also loved the hit singles from pop radio from the fifties to the early eighties. About 10 minutes in each lesson would be spent with me writing in his slide positions, and it was during this time that I'd ask Alvin about his past and he'd tell me another story. He had an amazing memory which included a gift for remembering a multitude of names. I seldom hear the same story twice. From his memories emerged a gentle wisdom that he truly was gifted with, and often when he'd be leaving, I felt I'd learned more in the lesson than he. Our last lesson times were outside on our front lawn, wearing masks, being optimistic about when the virus would no longer be a threat, and as he'd say, making the best of things. It was a true blessing to know Alvin and I know that forever that I'll remember this true friend as a very special, gentle, and sweet man.