Michael J. Robinson

Michael James Robinson of Lexington left us far too soon on November 16 ^th , 2020 as a result of brain cancer. He was the beloved husband of 23 years to Suzanne Paradis and a loving and dedicated father to Ian and Hugh Robinson. Mike was passionately involved in the boys’ various pursuits from hockey to soccer, to bad puns, math homework and at-home science experiments. Mike was so proud of Ian and Hugh; raising them, loving them, and watching them blossom was his greatest joy.

Born on July 24, 1968 in Boston to James and Rosa (Celona) Robinson of Hingham, MA, Mike spent the majority of his childhood in Hingham, graduating from Hingham High School (Class of 1986). As a child, Mike enjoyed vacationing with his family on Lake Winnipesaukee during the summer. In high school he garnered several academic awards and graduated at the top of his class. He also played the trumpet in the high school orchestra and jazz band as well as with the choir at Sunday Mass and at weddings.

An alum of Cornell University (Class of 1990) he also earned a Masters in Environmental Science from Boston University (Class of 1995). Mike lived most of his life in the greater Boston area with the exception of a few wonderful years in San Francisco where he and Sue enjoyed exploring the natural beauty of the west coast, particularly Yosemite National Park. In 2007, Mike and Sue settled in Lexington, MA where they formed deep and lasting friendships with other Lexington families through the kids’ school and activities, in particular LUSC and LBYH.

Mike’s deepest loves were his family, spending time in nature hiking, laying quietly under the trees in a hammock, and teaching science. Mike, Sue and friends enjoyed many memorable hiking, camping, and backpacking trips in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Sierra Nevadas of California, and everywhere in between. A treasured memory of their lives together is a 10 week road trip in 1999, when Mike and Sue camped and backpacked all through the Rockies starting in Glacier National Park and ending at the bottom of the Grand Canyon (they managed to hike back out). Another highlight was their 20 ^th wedding anniversary trip to the Swiss Alps in 2017.

During the summer of 2018 Mike and Sue shared their love of the western United States with Ian and Hugh on a road trip that included adventures in the Badlands of South Dakota, Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, being pampered at the Colorado Arlberg Club, and digging for fossils in Wyoming. Over the years, Mike and Sue, and later Ian and Hugh, cherished spending time with friends at La Bicoque - the cabin - in Thornton, New Hampshire.

Mike was the smartest person in any room, yet frequently also the quietest. His humor and intelligence would reveal itself with the occasional soft-spoken striking and amusing remark.

Mike spent 20 years of his professional life as an environmental consultant before discovering his true passion as a high school biology and physics teacher. He loved being part of the community at Needham High School; we are forever grateful to the colleagues and students at NHS for welcoming a fledgling teacher into the fold and their unending support of Mike during his illness. Mike’s one regret was that he hadn’t come to a career in teaching sooner; he loved interacting with students and discovering new ways to convey basic biological and physical scientific principles.

Mike is also survived by his brother John Robinson, nephew Joshua Robinson, niece Kailey Robinson all of Weymouth, MA, and the extended Celona, Paradis, and Robinson families. In addition, Mike is survived by many, many friends who are really family both near and far. You have embraced and cared for us in countless ways through this difficult time; we are so thankful that you are in our lives.

Please help us keep Mike’s memory alive for Ian and Hugh by privately contributing a story, photograph, or humorous vignette (no matter how small) using the following link:

https://app.boomboxgifts.com/contribute/81fb1686f37f49e22d4afcbdc7df05f5

Your stories will only be shared with the immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, we humbly request that gifts in memory of Mike be made to:

The Needham High School Science Department

In honor of Mike's legacy through his work as a beloved science teacher at Needham High School, those who wish to contribute to the NHS Science Department may send checks payable to Pauline Benninga at 73 Blake Rd, Lexington, MA 02420. Please put "Mike Robinson NHS funds" in the memo line. Alternatively, donations can be made through PayPal to [email protected] with the note "Mike Robinson NHS funds." These donations will be consolidated and subsequently donated in a single sum to Needham High School's Science Department.

The Marjorie E. Korff Parenting at a Challenging Time program at the MGH Cancer Center. The director of the program, Dr. Paula Rauch, provided constant wisdom throughout the two years of Mike’s illness and acted as a life raft during the most of difficult times. Every family faced with such an illness deserves such expert guidance and support. To help sustain the valuable work of this program, which is free to patients and families of the MGH Cancer Center, checks may be sent to Massachusetts General Hospital c/o PACT Program, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114. Please make checks payable to "Massachusetts General Hospital" and note "in memory of Mike Robinson.”  Online gifts may be made via www.giving.massgeneral.org Please designate the gift “In memory of Mike Robinson” in the Tribute Information section.

Please join us for a virtual memorial service in memory of Mike on Sunday, December 6 at 5pm. Feel free to attend with a beverage of your choice; Mike wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

The service will be hosted by First Parish in Bedford via zoom.

Zoom link information:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88205433374

Or call in using one of these numbers:

312-626-6799
929-205-6099
301-715-8592

And then enter this Meeting ID 882 0543 3374 followed by #

Arrangements by Anderson-Bryant Funeral Home in Stoneham, MA. A private burial service will be held at Westview Cemetery in Lexington, MA on November 18 ^th . A virtual memorial service hosted by The First Parish in Bedford will occur in the coming weeks, exact time and date to be announced soon. Please check back at this site for more information.