Major (Retired) John A. "Robbie" Robertson

Robertson, Major (Retired) John A. “Robbie”, CD

The Black Watch & The Royal Canadian Regiment

John “Robbie” Robertson, CD passed away on May 31, 2019 at 84 years of age in Ottawa. John was born in Toronto on 16 September 1934, the son of RSM James & Audrey Robertson. He was the beloved husband of the late Irene Redpath Robertson (née Young), his best friend for 60 years, and the loving father of Colin Robertson and Gail Robertson and “Boppa” of Zoé, Jessie, Audrey and Greer. He was the brother of the late Gordon Robertson, brother-in-law of the late Patricia & uncle of Glenn & Sandra Robertson of Etobicoke. John served his country for over forty years, 19 as an NCO with the Black Watch and 21 as an officer with The RCR. He was, as stated in a recent military magazine, ‘a first-rate soldier and outstanding officer.’ He was the author of a book about his experiences in the infantry. He graduated from Queen’s University in 1973. After his retirement he volunteered as a guide at the Canadian War Museum and in 2000 was selected Guide of the Year. He also was a guide for many tours of Canadian battlefield sites in Europe. He was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal in 2002 and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his services to Canada. John was Chaplain and the Master of Ceremonies for the Edinburgh Masonic Lodge. He was on the Board of Directors for the Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) of Canada. He was a raconteur par excellence and known for his unsurpassed renditions of the poetry of Robert Burns and Rudyard Kipling. One indication of his ability to entertain was his being elected “King of the Ship’ at the end of a week-long cruise of the Mediterranean! His infectious sense of humour and sheer enjoyment of life made John a very popular fellow who will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him. Here’s a comment from a letter from one who knew him well: “Robbie: Remember being taught about leadership in the army? We learned that some leaders have that innate natural leadership characteristic while others must be taught. I think the same is true about a man's soldiering potential. Some choose soldiering as a career path, from a host of other occupations while some I believe are natural born soldiers, it’s just in their blood. You, I believe are part of the latter group. You have set the highest example in professional soldiering and have had a positive influence on many. In this I do not intend to flatter but just stats what I believe to be a fact.”(Signed by a friend)

For the funeral service dress uniforms are to be worn by CF personnel and regimental blazers, headdress and medals by veterans.

Visitation will be held at the Beechwod National Memorial Centre, 280 Beechwood Avenue, Ottawa, on Tuesday June 11^th from 6 to 8 p.m. and on Wednesday after 11 a.m. until time of Service. Masonic Memorial Service & Funeral Service will be held Wednesday June12th at 12 noon followed by Interment at the National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces at 2 p.m.