Donald “Don” William Robinson Sr.
Donald “Don” William Robinson Sr., 80, of Chesterfield and Onaway, passed away at McLaren Macomb Hospital in Mt. Clemens November 28, 2025. He was born to William and Claris (Bush) Robinson at their home in Onaway June 11, 1945. Don completed his high school education at Onaway High School, graduating with the Class of 1963. Following his graduation, Don served his country for four years as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard.
Don’s life took a wonderful turn when he met Carol Thursam at the laundromat in Onaway. Carol was from St. Clair Shores and was spending time at her family’s cottage on Black Lake. Their connection was immediate, and Don was quite taken with her. Their relationship blossomed, leading to their marriage June 6, 1966, at St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in St. Clair Shores. After their wedding, Don and Carol settled in Chesterfield, where they began their life together.
After his time in the Coast Guard, Don embarked on his professional career with Detroit Edison, where he trained and advanced to become a journeyman lineman. His dedication and skill were evident throughout his years with the company. Even after retiring from Detroit Edison, Don’s commitment to his trade continued as he took on the role of supervisor for several power line contractors. After years of hard work and leadership in his field, Don eventually retired a second time, concluding a lengthy career in the power line industry.
Although Don spent much of his life away from Onaway, he and Carol made it a priority to return frequently for visits. Their deep connection to the area eventually led them to purchase property and build a home in Onaway. This new home provided Don with the perfect setting to pursue his favorite hobbies and enjoy the outdoors.
Don devoted many hours to exploring his land, walking his property and working on deer blinds. He took great satisfaction in enhancing deer habitat, reflecting his passion for hunting, wildlife and conservation. In addition to his work on the property, Don enjoyed fishing the region’s trout streams as well as going to Lake Simcoe in Canada for winter ice fishing.
One of Don’s favorite pastimes was berry picking. He was known for his ability to quickly pick a flat of strawberries and had a keen knowledge of the best locations in northern Michigan to pick huckleberries and blackberries. These activities brought him joy and allowed him to share his love for nature with his family.
In addition to his love for the outdoors, Don was creative in his hands-on hobbies. He built intricate models and crafted unique lamps by ingeniously repurposing electric meters and insulators into functional works of art. Don’s appreciation for history and craftsmanship was evident in his passion for collecting antiques. He enjoyed antique sales, auctions and antique stores where he looked for interesting items to add to his ever-growing collection.
Don Robinson was widely recognized for his genuine kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity. His actions consistently reflected his caring nature, as he made it a point to bring treats wherever he went. Whether visiting the medical office for an appointment or stopping by a local store, Don would often bring donuts for the staff or soup for the employees, brightening their day with his thoughtful gestures.
Don’s compassion extended especially to children. He once provided pumpkins for all the kids at school, and on another occasion, he paid for the buses needed for a school field trip. Committed to helping those in need, Don gave generously to local food banks as the idea of anyone going hungry was something he just could not bear to think about.
These acts of generosity were carried out with humility; Don never sought recognition or acknowledgment for his good deeds. Instead, he preferred that his contributions remain unnoticed, motivated solely by his desire to bring joy to others and help to those in need.
In his later years, Don devoted more of his time to his home in Onaway, immersing himself in the community he loved. Several times each week, he would make his rounds through town, stopping at his favorite local spots to enjoy friendly visits and share treats. He became a familiar fixture at the grain elevator in town, where he was often seen sitting atop a bag of dog food, chatting with everyone who came through the door. Don loved these moments of conversation and connection, always eager to reminisce about the past and genuinely interested in hearing others’ stories. His warm, approachable nature made him easy to talk with and well-liked.
Don’s family meant everything to him, and his love for them was evident in the special bonds he shared with each of his children and grandchildren. He talked with them on the phone every day, always taking the time to check in and make sure they were doing well. Don’s relationships with his grandchildren were especially close, and he cherished creating special memories with each one. He and Stephanie shared a love for berry picking, Shaun and Christopher were his companions in the woods, joining him on hunting adventures, while Keegan was Don’s partner for watching NASCAR races.
Don’s family will always cherish the memorable sayings he shared throughout his life. These “Donisms” were his unique way of imparting wisdom, and each phrase carried a special meaning for those who heard them. Don’s children and grandchildren will hold these expressions close to their hearts, and may even find themselves using Don’s phrases, passing his wisdom down to the next generation.
Don was a devoted husband to Carol. Their partnership was marked by deep friendship and teamwork, making them an exceptional pair throughout their life together. After Carol’s passing, Don felt her absence profoundly, and life was never quite the same for him. The bond they shared was irreplaceable and he missed her every day.
Don is survived by his daughters, Heather (Steve) Davis of
Preceding Don in death were his parents, Bill and Claris Robinson; wife, Carol, January 5, 2019; sisters, Barbara Lawrence and Beverly Milligan; a brother, Dale Robinson; in-laws, Arthur and Dorothy Thursam; sister-in-law, Susan Booth; and brother-in-law, Larry Milligan.
A graveside service will be held at Hillcrest Cemetery Saturday, May 2, at 11 a.m. Jeff Badgero will officiate. Those planning an expression of sympathy please consider a donation in memory of Don to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or Forgotten Harvest.
