Joseph "Joe" Martin Robinson

October 12, 1943 – March 8, 2018

Joseph Martin Robinson, 74 passed away on March 8, 2018, in Visalia, CA.

Joe Robinson was born in Hanford, CA on October 12, 1943, attended St. Rose-McCarthy Catholic School, Hanford High School; class of 1961, receiving a BA degree from California State University, Fresno and a MA degree from the University of Missouri. He served in the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Germany. After college, he taught at Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas, before returning to Hanford where he served as director of the YMCA programs at Camp Redwood. He and his brother Charlie opened their concrete business in 1979. Joe eventually went on his own becoming well-known in the Hanford area for his work.

Through high school and college Joe was known as a baseball player, with major league offers out of high school and college. In later years, he continued this interest by quietly helping maintain the baseball fields at the local high schools, having the field at Hanford West dedicated to him. He was a civic-minded person, serving on the Hanford Tree Planting Committee while always contributing his time and materials to numerous local projects, most recently, the Children’s Storybook Garden & Museum.

Mr. Robinson is survived by his son, Ryan Robinson and partner Shelly Camarillo of San Francisco, CA, siblings William (Sonja) Robinson, Catherine Hill, John Robinson, Charlie Robinson and Michael (Barbara) Robinson. Nieces and nephews; Bill Robinson, Cathey (Greg) Leaon, Dee Robinson, Darla Yehl, Rodney Willhite, Jeff Willhite, Jamie Robinson, Terri (Kyle) Heck, Cindy (Frank) Netto, Jeff (Lori) Hill, Chris (Lori) Hill, Doug (Carrie) Robinson, David (Melonie) Robinson, Rusty (Theresa) Robinson, Sam (Suzy) Robinson, Luke (Tawny) Robinson, Jacob (Ali) Robinson and numerous great-nieces & nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, LeRoy & Catherine Robinson, brother, James Robinson and brother-in-law, Robert Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Joe’s name may be made to St. Rose-McCarthy Catholic School; 1000 N. Harris St., Hanford, CA 93230, The Children’s Storybook Garden & Museum; 559-341-4845 or [email protected] or The Fresno Chaffee Zoo; 559-498-5959 or [email protected] or an organization of your own choosing.

Family and friends are invited to view Joe’s legacy at www.peoplesfuneralchapel.com and send condolences to the family.

A Memorial Gathering will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, March 17th at the Fraternal Hall; 1015 N. 10th Ave., Hanford, CA. All are welcome!

Services by People’s Funeral Chapel 559-584-5591.