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Robin Murray SORRELL

September 1, 2006

June 18, 1921 - Sept 1, 2006

Robin and his twin sister Rosella were born at The Maples, a farm located north of Clair, Sask. His parents, Ernest and Rosella, raised Robin and his seven siblings in nearby Paswegin. Growing up, Robin had his share of work and fun. A friend living in Saskatchewan talked of his love for baseball.

In July of 1941 Robin enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force and served in England during World War II. He was honourably discharged as a Leading Aircraftsman in 1945.

On Nov. 27, 1947 Robin married Francis Desjardin. In 1951 Robin joined the Canadian National Railway and worked on section gangs in the Clair region of Sask. On holidays he and Fran often travelled by train to Vancouver, passing through the Fraser Valley along the way. They loved the beauty of the area and decided that one day they would settle there. In 1970 Robin transferred to the Port Mann Rail Yards in Surrey, BC and they lived in New Westminster until Robin's retirement in 1974. It was then that they moved to Mission where they took up residence at the Willows Apartments and he resided there until his move to the Grand Street Lodge in 2005.

Never having a driver's licence nor owning a car, Robin was a walker. For all his and Fran's needs he would don his jacket and set off to the stores in Mission. His wit and charm were well known by the people he encountered on Main Street. It was the people he met that he enjoyed most. He also had a passion for flowers. The roses that adorned the fence in front of the Willows Apartment were a delight for everyone who passed by.

Above all, Robin enjoyed reading as well as writing poetry. His poems depict local, national, and world events, his love and passion for living, and the many people he met throughout his life.

In 1985 one of Robin's favourite poems, "Twinkling Stars, Blue Skies" was recorded on an album called Memories. In 2002 his writings were recognized with a Golden Poet Award by the World of Poetry Association. To promote and encourage Mission area students in the art of poetry Robin has established the "Robin and Fran Sorrell Poetry Scholarship" through the Mission Foundation. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Mission Foundation or to a charity of your choice.

Robin was predeceased by Fran, his wife, in 2002; brothers Francis, Albion and Alan; sisters Evelyn, Helen, Edith and Rosella.

A special thank you to the staff at the Grand Street Lodge for their dedicated care for Robin.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12 at 11:00 am at Woodlawn Funeral Home, 7386 Home St., Mission.

Arrangements entrusted to Woodlawn

Mission Funeral Home

604-826-9548





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