William Grant Robinson

William


CHEBEAGUE ISLAND - William Grant Robinson, 18, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Chebeague Island, on Sept. 22, 2015. Known as William to his family and neighbors and Will to the faculty and students at Greely High School, he was kind, considerate, and polite and was loved and admired by all who knew him. Candlelight vigils were held in his memory on Chebeague and at Greely, and each drew more than 200 people. The student body at Greely High School decided to honor William by holding doors open for others just as he did. A teacher at Greely described the event: "When I walked into school this morning and saw senior students holding the doors open for people as Will had done for almost every day, I was struck by what influence he had on people."
Born in Portland on Aug. 5, 1997, the son of Gene Robinson and Alnah Doughty, William overcame the odds of a premature birth to become a strong and healthy young man who loved the outdoors. He was a hunter and had just received a doe permit. He spent his summers as a sternman on his father's lobster boat and was proud to obtain an adult lobster license.
William's mother died when he was small but he thought of her often especially when taking care of his pets and when working in his vegetable garden, which he planted every year. After his mother's passing, he and his father became very close. Not only did they share the love of the sea, but they also shared a love of history and the Civil War, which took them to many battlefields and museums. William and his dad spent many school vacations exploring the country as far as Texas. Sometimes the trip was planned and other times they would just decide as they were driving along, often times ending up at Disney World at some point in the trip.
William came from two musical families so it is not surprising that he was the senior member of the Boy Singers of Maine and was just beginning his 11th season. He was a high honor student at Greely High School as well as the Portland Arts and Technology High School where he participated in the carpentry program. William planned to attend Southern Maine Community College, to continue to hone his carpentry skills so that he would have a winter business to go along with lobstering, his real love. His teachers admired William. They have described him as a student with a work ethic second to none. He was a conscientious student who spent hours at the Chebeague library.
Like all island kids, William loved to dive off the wharf, ride his bike, and fish for mackerel. He was also adept in the kitchen and loved to cook. This past summer he prepared and delivered meals to his grandmother daily. He recently told someone that it wouldn't be long before he would be driving her around the mainland, which demonstrates his compassion and responsibility for others.
In many ways William Robinson was old beyond his years. In his college essay he wrote: "In my family, the tradition goes back generations: my father, my uncle, some of my cousins, and both of my grandfathers were all lobstermen…Seeing men and women work so hard in order to make a dollar really made me respect the lobstering industry, and I realized how important every cent is to the person who earned it."
He was predeceased by mother, Alnah Doughty; maternal grandmother Louise James Doughty, his paternal grandfather, Bernard "Bud" Robinson; and an uncle Jeffery Doughty. He survived by his father, Gene Robinson; his grandmother, Joan Robinson, his grandfather, Cecil Amos Doughty; uncles, Mike Robinson and Chris Doughty all of Chebeague Island, and aunts Melissa Doughty of Casco and Linda Larrabee of Brunswick. William will be lovingly remembered by many cousins and a large extended family, as well as neighbors, friends, the faculty and student body at Greely High School, and the Boy Singers of Maine.
Interment will be at the Chebeague Island Cemetery after a private service of remembrance.

In recognition of William's love of travel, a memorial fund is being established in his name to support field trips at the Chebeague Island School. Contributions can be sent to:
William Robinson
Memorial Field Trip Fund
Chebeague Island School
14 Schoolhouse Road
Chebeague Island, Maine 04017 -