With immense sorrow we announce the passing of Walter Robert Boraston while he was surrounded by his family on September 25, 2014. Robin, as he was known to most, will be greatly missed by his wife Helen; his daughter Susan (Suni) & husband Steve; son Geoff & partner Angela; and son Alisdair & wife Cathy. Six grandchildren, Katrina, Andrew, Sara, Natalie, Amanda, and Julia, will dearly miss their “Papa.”
Robin was born in Rutherglen, Scotland, on October 31, 1933. Education as a physician at St. Andrew’s University in Scotland ultimately led to Robin’s first emigration to Canada where he utilized his training by taking the role of medical officer in the Royal Canadian Air Force. He undertook this adventure in 1958 with his new bride and childhood sweetheart, Connie (who predeceased him in 2007). After 2 years in Chatham, New Brunswick, Robin returned with his growing family to London, England, to work as a general practitioner. Robin’s second and final emigration to Canada was in 1967 when he moved with his still growing family to Edmonton, Alberta, to specialize in psychiatry at the University of Alberta. In 1974, the now family of five settled in Comox, BC. Robin finally moved to Victoria, BC, in 1987 where, after a long and successful career dedicated to helping people, he retired from practicing psychiatry in 1998.
Robin was a true Renaissance man. In his youth he played rugby for County Stirling as a speedy winger. His emigration to Canada stirred in him a love of sailing – he owned and skillfully raced a number of boats over the years – and promoted an affinity for skiing. Robin’s exploits as a young student on St. Andrew’s Old Course were re-visited in the 1980s as a bout with the golf bug that he couldn’t shake. This, along with a long-standing fondness for the art of fishing, kept him active into his retirement. In addition to being a great sportsman, Robin’s creative talents were displayed in an enormous and ever-evolving range of hobbies from, for example, growing roses to tying fishing flys to building furniture to photography to building model sailing ships, and many others. His hobbies were always executed with remarkable skill and panache. This vibrant life of activities was, of course, painted on the backdrop of a rich family life, where as a husband and father he was dedicated, supportive and loving. He never failed to enlighten and enrich his children’s lives by sharing with them his love of an active lifestyle. To Robin a family was not complete without a dog. As a lifelong dog-lover he enjoyed canine affection through all of his years and cut the figure of a dapper Scottish gentleman while walking his companions – he will be missed by Geordie, Annie, and Nell.
A Memorial Service will be held in MCCALL BROS. FLORAL CHAPEL, 1400 Vancouver St, Victoria BC on Saturday, October 11, 2014 at 4:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations to Victoria Hospice are gratefully appreciated: Victoria Hospice, 4th Floor, Richmond Pavilion, 1952 Bay Street, Victoria, BC, V8R 1J8. Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Bros. Funeral Home
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Ann Greene
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David Morgan Dave, Freda and Conor Morgan pass on condolences to the Boraston family with the passing of Robin. Neighbours for 20 years we have very fond memories across and through the hedge!
Take care to all!
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Gordon and Phyllis Halsey Our heartfelt sympathies to Suni ,Geoff, Ali and families and Helen.
Our friendships began in Victoria through tennis partners Connie and Phyllis and after frequent dining about town as a foursome,,evolved into a “fishing buddy” friendship between Robin and I.
Robin instigated weeklong trips to interior fly fishing lodges. Hallmarks of those excursions were his welcome lessons on the finer points of fly fishing,an adequate supply of Scotch and more importantly, if we cooked for ourselves, lots of food–because growing up in Scotland during the war years he “was always hungry” This fair-weather fisherman learned that we went out regardless of the weather “because if one waited for sunshine to go fishing in Scotland, your trips would be few and far between”-and so we fished rain or shine, warm or cold. Long hikes into mountain lakes were shortened by Robin’s singing along the way—we happily made our way through many verses of the “North Atlantic Squadron” A shared interest in photographing wild flowers and wildlife remain graphic reminders of good times. His good humour and well furnished intellect made him good and interesting company always.
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Frank and Bobbi Denton We were so sad to hear of Robin’s passing. Robin and Connie were very kind to us when we first came to Comox and we became good friends in the 70s and 80s. We enjoyed many good times together. I remember the exhilaration of sailboat racing with Robin on his Cal 29, a sport he introduced me to and one in which I have been active to this day. Bobbi and I particularly recall the great time we had skiing with both families, and Suzanne our exchange student, at Big White.
After many years of being out of touch, Robin called me some months ago when he was up in this area and we tried to arrange to get together. It is with considerable regret that that never occurred for Robin (and Connie) will always occupy a special place in our hearts.
Our sincerest condolences to Suni, Geoff, Ali and all of the extended family.
Frank and Bobbi Denton
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Pierre M.D. and Suzanne Arbour Sorry to hear of Robin’s passing. We were also RCAF Officiers and neighbours at Station Chatham NB. Our condolences to the family.
We sure enjoyed Robin and Connie all he time we were together in Chatham.
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Paul de Goutiere A true gentleman, my condolences to Helen and the family.
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David & Wanda Wright So sorry to read of Robin’s passing. We were fellow RCAF officers and next door neighbours at Station Chatham NB. We spent many hours together in our homes sharing food and stories and time in the Officers’ Mess and on hunting and fishing outings.
Our condolences to the family.
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Alan and Shirley Robb Our very deepest sympathy to you all.
I first met Robin in Comox when I worked as the Nurse Manager on the Psychiatric Unit. Many hours were spent collaborating and deliberating on how best to plan and deliver patient care from both the physician and the organizational perspective. His humour and leadership dominated his presence on the team and, over the years, our mutual respect for one another grew into a friendship. When my work took me to Victoria in 1999, Robin contacted me and welcomed me as a colleague. I remember well the lunches we had in the cafeteria at the Eric Martin, drawing startled and furtive wonderings as to how this unlikely relationship came to be! EMP was not a friendly place and positional lines ran deep. Robins’ presence beside me, although hilarious for him, was meaningful and intentional, and I believe sent a message about my worth on the team. Thus supporting me to navigate in dangerous waters. He and Connie welcomed my husband Garry and me into their home and those of their friends, for which we were also grateful. I left Victoria in 2003 and although we emailed for a short time, our paths did not cross again. Please accept my condolences and thoughts on this great person who had influence in my life.
PS: I cannot send this without adding my memories of his frequent conversations about his family, and particularly his children. He was one proud parent and shared each of your milestones, accomplishments, and challenges as colleagues do during the years in Comox.
Kindest regards, Ann Greene