Leonard Joseph (Rob) Robillard

February 25, 2020 9 Condolences Print Obituary Send Flowers

Leonard Joseph (Rob) Robillard, carpenter, baseball encyclopedia, photographer, poet, boxer, journalist, loving father, spouse, brother, uncle, son and provider passed away after a long battle with depression on February 17th, 2020. He was 46.

Rob was born in Medicine Hat, Alberta into a loving family, where he spent the first part of his life getting into trouble with, and bringing joy to his brothers and sisters. He would always love the sunny, arid place where he was born. He always retained a bit of his Alberta cowboy attitude even after he moved away to Edmonton for post secondary school. He met his long term spouse and chose to settle down and help raise her child as his own. Like many men in Alberta, for a time, he worked in the oilfields which allowed him to provide for his young family.

Later on, as a construction foreman, he took a leading role in many of this city's greatest projects to date, such as Rogers Place, Stantec Tower, the Jasper Ave LRT tunnel, and the new U of A nursing school, among others. He was a great leader on and off the job, and took the lead in his children’s after-school activities. He managed scouts and coached baseball for his son Jude, and cheered from the sidelines of soccer games and jazz band concerts as his daughter’s number one fan. He loved his children with unusual dedication, thought, and sensitivity, and his children consider themselves immensely lucky.

He often expressed his feelings through music, both as a budding guitarist, and as a curator. He always had a song that he loved playing in his car or on his speaker at home, and he had built up a repertoire playing the songs he thought told their story the best: The Weight by The Band, Atlantic City by Bruce Springsteen, and so on. Rob enjoyed sports and had an encyclopedic level of knowledge of baseball and American football. He watched all of the Toronto Blue Jays and the Denver Broncos games that he could.

Sadly, Rob proved unable to cope with his deepest emotional wounds. He was iron-willed but also deeply sensitive, which caused him great pain. In the end, he fell victim to his own weaknesses. In death he found the peace that eluded him in life.

He rests in love and peace with his late sister Debby Kathie Robillard her daughter Nya Raine and her son Ryan Joseph Robillard Keeler, his sister Cindy Robbin Robillard and their father Leonard Robillard Sr. He is survived by his daughter Catherine Sophie Willier, his sons Jude Jacob Henry Robillard and Charlie Rey Robillard, as well as his former spouse Shelley Lynn Willier, his mother Dianne Tanasiychuk, his 4 siblings Harold, Karen, Wayne and Allan Wright, as well as many nieces and nephews, his large extended family and his ever faithful cat companion Mr. Gorgeous.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday February 29, 2020 at 10:00 AM at Trinity Funeral Home 10530-116 St Edmonton.  Interment to follow at Little Mountain Cemetery.

  1. So very for your loss! Robbie was an excellent person and will be missed by many. Too many suffer often in silence. I am sure he at peace now and shining bright with his sisters and dad.

  2. So sorry for your loss. We really enjoyed our visit with him last summer. Ran through a lot of old memories Lots of laughs and I really enjoyed playing Words With Friends with him. RIP Rob Love to you and all your family..

  3. I am deeply sorry for the loss of an incredible person. I knew Rob in high school but more closely after graduation from CHHS when we were both lost souls trying to find ourselves after Grad. I will always remember him with kindness and admiration. Again, I am so very sorry for your loss.
    Skye

  4. Rest easy Rob you were an amazing human you took my niece as your own flesh and blood. not just anyone can do something like that and the consistency passion and unconditional love you put into your relationships with all of your kids was some kind of beautiful. love your sister inlaw sarah paul

  5. My condolences goes out to Robbie’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time.

  6. I will miss our political conversations & how we both knew that our friendship was much stronger than any political differences. He was a man of family, honor & a spirit of his culture. I will miss you my Brother
    Very very much. We had some fun time back at CHHS. Your demons have left & our Fathers hand has been extended to you. Take hold & rejoice a life lived here on earth but remember life has just begun. Save me a spot would ya. Until we see each other again, Rest Easy My Brother.

    • My thoughts and heart are with you all. Rob was a great man.

  7. There aren’t enough words to describe just how amazing Rob was. I have known alot of people in my life but none like him. The sun is definitely shining less bright without him. I am very sorry to the family for the loss of a great man. I have always considered Rob my brother and always will. He will be missed more than he could ever know.

  8. Please accept my sincere condolences. It was a long time ago, but I recall with fondness the support I received in my political career from Rob and the young PCs here in Medicine Hat. My Daughters also extend their fond remembrances of those days. -Jim Horsman

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