Charles Alexander Robinson III

Freeport, ME- Charles Alexander Robinson III, 93, of Freeport, Maine passed away on Friday, December 16 at the Heron House. He was born in Providence, Rhode Island on August 14, 1929, a son of Charles Alexander Robinson Jr. and Celia Robinson. A graduate of Brown University, he was a sports enthusiast and his career as a basketball referee spanned more than 50 years. On October 14, 1950 he married the love of his life Patricia Calkins and together they raised a loving family of six children. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and brother.

He was predeceased by his parents.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Patricia Robinson and his children, Charles Alexander Robinson IV and Beth Dubay, Joseph Robinson, Andrew Robinson and his wife Kim, Laura Rocknak, Marcy Byers and Alexandra Intraversato and husband David. He is also survived by grandchildren Craig Robinson and wife Jennifer, Jacob Robinson, Stephen Zackary Byers, Jamie Byers, Olivia Byers, Carly Intraversato and Nicholas Intraversato. He also leaves great grandchildren Chase and Chloe Robinson and brothers Samuel Robinson and Frank Robinson.

A spring burial is planned at Lakeview Cemetery in Willsboro, NY. Arrangements under the direction of Lindquist Funeral Home and fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LindquistFuneralHome.com for the Robinson family.

ALEX ROBINSON

“A wonderful life in the wonderful world of athletics”

Written By Alex Robinson before his passing on 12/16/22 at age 93

My dada was a very distinguished professor of Classics at the very great Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. He always told me and my two brothers to choose carefully because you can be anything you want to be. My two brothers, Sam and Frank, both went to Harvard. Sam became a distinguished lawyer living in Belmont, MA. Frank went into museum work and built up the Johnson Museum at Cornell into perhaps the top small college museum in the country.

I chose a different route, making my living in the wonderful world of athletics. As a left handed first baseman, I played for many years in upstate New York and always said that the unknown third baseman with three fingers on his throwing hand, Lawrence Lee, was the best player I ever saw. Probably true. I signed with the St. Louis Browns of the American League and forerunner of the Baltimore Orioles. I can recite many of the Browns players:

First Base- Hank Arft

Second Base- Billy Summers

Shortstop- Tommy Upton

Third Base- Leo Thomas

Outfield- (I forget)

Pitcher- Ned Garver

Catcher- Les Moss

I played ever so briefly in Fenway Park beside these players, and it was a thrill to do so in front of 30,000 people. The Browns were a pathetic team featuring a midget who couldn’t hit- Eddie Gardele.

In high school, at Moses Brown School in Providence I was quarterback of the football team, (broken ankle 1st play of the 2nd game of the season) that ended a season that had a lot of promise. As an underclassman I had thrown 6 TD passes and place kicked 2 extra points to account for all 38 pointes in a 38 to 0 win over St. Dunston’s. That performance prompted varsity coach Sam Waughtel to change his system from old fashioned simple wing to a formation to take advantage of my aerial ability- all to no avail due to a broken ankle.

Also at Moses Brown, I was co-captain of the varsity basketball team that played Buckingham Browne & Nichols in a tournament in the Boston Garden. In baseball I started as a first baseman and right fielder- good fielder and mediocre hitter with little power.

College days appeared and I was courted by Colgate, turned down by Amherst and ended up at Brown. During my sophomore year I married beautiful Patricia and we were together for over 65 years. (In the end, married 72 years). This union ended my playing days and led to Deans list and honors list in academics instead. A pretty good trade. It has also led to 6 children, 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

My early professional work included 3 years of teaching and coaching at Providence Country Day School in East Providence, where, for the salary of $2,500 per year I taught history every class period, coached 3 sports and drove to and from the school at least twice a day. I then had a stint teaching and coaching at Ocala High School in central Florida. A great place. For a time I also taught at the Rhode Island State Prison and Reformatory, followed by 10 years in business and the beginning of a fabulous and fun athletic career.

Baseball became everything in my life and led to one year hitting .383- 4 home runs to lead Elizabethtown, NY to the league title. I played for the area’s premier manager- Ed Card, a former pro-player. Teammates included Dodger (Brooklyn) farm hand Bob Garrow. The highlight of that season was opening day when I homered over the left field fence in my first at bat on the first pitch I saw that season.

After the death of my father in 1965, (now living in Lowell, MA), I decided I would make my life one of athletic superiority as a coach, referee, newspaper sportswriter (The Lowell sun), assigner and Commissioner- primarily a proprietor of numerous schools for boys and girls all over the East, and as a referee who worked over 8,000 games, ran over 50,000 miles, worked 4 high school state championships at the Worcester Centrum in addition to numerous games at the old Boston Garden (the best place of all to work). The 8,000 games (a world record according to Guiness) made a mockery of my right knee even until my retirement and beyond.

Officiating 55 years, over 8,000 games, over 50,000 miles- high school, college, pro games. NBA officiating included work with Mendy Rudolph, Earl Strom etc. Over 150 state tournament games were officiated. On the high school level, wherever there was a big game, I was usually there to ref: Brockton, BC High, Catholic Memorial, St. John’s Prep, Durfee. One of my biggest thrills was when I officiated a 2-point spread game between Lowell and Durfee. Getting dressed after the game and coming out to the grandstand to watch the next game, I received a standing ovation from several thousand fans- a great thrill!

Other memorable ones- a 6 overtime game in Montreal, finals of Lowell tournament game between Chelmsford and Cambridge Rindge & Latin. Mike Jarvis (coach) and Patrick Ewing games at Cambridge. Caught in a snowstorm on Rte. 128 (phoned from a nearby house and left car in middle of 128 to let Commissioner know I couldn’t get to the game on the south shore.

I was a member of Board 95 IAABO in Lowell, Mass and was the only member to serve 3 terms as President. My “fireside chats” at meetings were unforgettable. I devised a 10 point program to improve meetings and encourage larger attendance.

I held a lifelong allegiance to the great Brown University and was a mentor to the varsity football team for many years. I attended all their home games. In baseball, I also attended many games including Browns NCAA tournament appearance in Round Rock, Texas. We almost defeated Texas and Wake Forest, but sadly, lost. A fantastic trip- walked around Darrell Royal Football Stadium (a thrill). Not so thrilling a near hurricane and all lights and elevators were on the blink. (Pat and I were on the top floor).

I was baseball coach at North Middlesex High School for 13 years. We played for the state Division 2 championship vs. Hopkinton and lost to a power pitcher who was later a star at Alabama. Made the state tournament 12 out of 13 seasons.

Odds & Ends: I almost became the only non-staff member to officiate a Celtics game by myself (no other ref). Mendy Rudolph and Manny Sokoff delayed by a snowstorm. I got dressed up in a green sweatshirt, tin whistle etc. Watched my partner run down out of the building (he was scared)- so I went out and met with red Auerbach and Richie Guerin (St. Louis coach). They agreed to have me work alone in front of sellout n13,909 fans. I got out to mid-court and was about to toss the ball up when Mendy rushed to courtside and said not to toss it- he would be right out to do it. A big disappointment for me. I was very eager to start.

I ran basketball schools all over the East. Huge schools at Norwich University (600 boys per week and 400 girls). Also, small schools (Wells River, VT- just 7 girls) Dick Harter of NBA fame as a head coach and assistant coach, lectured at many of my camps. I employed K.C. Jones for 15 years, as well as many other pros to lecture- John Havlicek, Calvin Murphy, Steve Kuberski etc. Camps were held at Camp Pok-O-Moonshine (upstate NY), Paul Smiths College (Saranac Lake NY), Norwich University (Northfield VT), Essex Junction VT, Orleans VT, Lowell MA, Seekonk MA, Townsend MA, Tupelo MS, Montreal, and many other locations for over 40 years. I had the largest summer basketball school in the country and was the second person to have schools (Red Auerbach was 1st).

I was a sportswriter for the Lowell Sun covering football games for 20 years. Not all my kids shared my undying passion for sports as participants, though my eldest son Charles Alexander Robinson IV was a great wrestler and refereed for some time and had great potential. All three of my girls were highly competitive gymnasts and my grandson Craig Robinson was a star football player, grandson Zack Byers was a 4-year starting catcher for Campbell High School (Litchfield NH)- state champions in 2013. Grandson Jake Robinson fell in love with the outdoors and motorsports. Granddaughters Jamie, Olivia and Carly were all tremendous athletes in their sports, swimming, Softball and soccer and Grandson Nick talented in Soccer and Hockey. Love of sports or not, all of my family are remarkable in incredibly unique ways, Joe is an incredibly talented artist and Andy with his love of the outdoors.

I was given a retirement party at Long Meadow Country Club in Lowell. Over 150 attended (excellent food). I received many accolades and awards including some from the US House of Representatives, Mass House of Representatives, NH State Senate, Referee Magazine, Brown University Basketball program & coach.

The great Tony Romano (obituary Boston Globe 11/5/14) was a great friend.

I’ve assigned hundreds of games.

Commissioner of girl’s officials for private schools (ISL)

Honorary life member of IAABO Board 95 in Lowell, MA.

50-year board 95 member award.

Great friends and peers throughout the years (not all inclusive!): John Rafferty, Larry Kelleher,, Larry Cavanaugh, Heather Marino, Bob Garrow, Bill McGuirk.

I have 6 wonderful children: Charles Alexander Robinson IV (Tookie- named after NY Giants catcher Tookie Gilbert), Joseph Robinson (named after Joe DiMaggio), Laura Rocknak, Andy Robinson (named after big league catcher Andy Seminick), Marcy Byers and Alexandra Intraversato.

I have 7 wonderful grandchildren: Craig Robinson, Jake Robinson, Zack Byers, Jamie Byers, Olivia Byers, Carly Intraversato and Nick Intraversato.

I have 2 beautiful great grandchildren: Chase and Chloe Robinson.

And of course the love of my life, my wife throughout the incredible journey Pat.

I retired to Freeport, Maine where I continue to watch high school games on a regular basis. On the High School Committee that interviews new coaches, on the committee that oversees Winslow Park (on the ocean). I continue to follow Brown and in 2012-2013 I took 3 classes at the great Bowdoin College.

I continue to travel to Willsboro, in upstate NY to our summer cottage on Long Pond. A fantastic place.

“A wonderful life- well spent in the wonderful world of athletics!”

Footnote: Transcribed from handwritten notes of Alex Robinson. Apologies for any misspellings or inaccuracies due to old school left handscribble! 😊

Attached below is a video about his retirement from his professional career:

https://vimeo.com/17479186