12 Mayport Mirror, NS Mayport, Thursday, September 21, 2006
Former MPFD Captain Honored By His Daughter
Story/photo
by Instructor LeAnna Boudreaux USNSCC Assistant PAO USNSCC,
Mayport Division
Cadet Anastasia Robinson was visibly shaken Saturday, September 9th during
a visit with her unit to the fire station on base. This was the same station her father had served at several years ago before
losing his fight with cancer. Captain Timothy Robinson served diligently with the Mayport Fire Department. He took his
job seriously and as a result, earned the admiration and respect of all who served with him. Capt. Robinson had moved with
his family from California, where he also served as a firefighter. Before
making Captain, Robinson was in charge of the crew that performed maintenance on all the water craft used by the station.
Assistant Fire Chief Donald Martin remembers him well. At the time, Martin held the rank of Station Captain and was Robinson’s Supervisor. “He was an outstanding guy. He was hardworking, diligent, and a great leader. Robinson
served with us for about seven or eight years and was well loved.” said Martin. During his tenure at Mayport, Robinson
received several Outstanding Service awards.
He lost his fight with cancer on April 31, 1999. His daughter was eight years old at the
time. While the cadets were looking at “Big Red”, the station’s water cannon truck, one of the fire fighters
asked which one was Robinson. When word had gotten out about the cadets’ visit, many of the fire fighters wanted to
come and see the daughter of their fallen comrade. Two of the men took it upon
themselves to ask Asst. Fire Chief Martin if Cadet Robinson could shoot the
water cannon in honor of her father and he agreed. As Cadet Robinson climbed up into the cabin, she had a smile on her face.
The engine was cranked and after a few instructions, the cannon roared to life under the hand of Cadet Robinson as many of
the fire fighters, including Martin, looked on in admiration and
remembrance.
