Guy S. Robinson

Guy S. Robinson, 85,of Brownville, NY, left this earth peacefully on September 12, 2024, at home surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. 

Guy was born in Watertown, NY, to Raymond F. and Ruth H. (Morse) Robinson. He was the 11th of 13 children and the first to be born in a hospital. Shortly after his birth, his family moved to the Holmes Farm near Theresa, where Guy spent his early years working and playing alongside his siblings on the farm. He started school in a one-room schoolhouse at Kelsey Bridge, walking two miles each way, and later continued his education in Theresa. 

He was very proud of his work on the St. Lawrence Seaway as a heavy equipment operator and his career in road construction with N.R. Corbisello. In 1963, he developed a bit of wanderlust and got a job with Boise Cascade as a long distance tractor trailer driver, where he worked for 27 years. When the company moved out of the North Country, he continued driving for Walsh Trucking out of Massena for another 10 years. Guy felt fortunate to see so much of the United States during his driving career, while getting paid to do it.  He accumulated numerous safe-driving awards while employed at both trucking companies. He was also a proud member of Teamsters Local No. 687. 

In his spare time Guy had a deep passion for modified stock car racing, achieving legendary status on the track. He was the modified champion at Watertown Speedway in 1971 and 1973, securing 29 feature wins—second on the all-time win list at the speedway. He last won in Watertown on July 20, 1974.  He also won the Lee-Taylor Memorial Race in 1976, the Van Order Memorial Race in 1968, 1969, and 1971, Watertown Centennial Race in 1969, the Summer and Fall Championships in 1973, and Firecracker Race in 1974. At Can Am he had a total of four wins with three in a row in 1976.  He is one of five drivers to win modified feature at Watertown, Evans Mills, and LaFargeville. He also dominated at other tracks like, Kingston Speedway in Ont. where he won the prestigious Woody Van Order Memorial Race, Evans Mills Speedway, where he won the first feature race ever run there, Fort Covington Speedway, Capital City Speedway in Ottawa, Utica Rome, Brewerton and Brockville Speedways. He had over 100 victories in the modified division at tracks across the U.S. and Canada. He was inducted into the Northeast Dirt Hall of Fame in 1993. 

In his personal life, Guy shared many adventures with his wife, Linda. They enjoyed motorhome trips across the U.S. and Canada, from Yellowstone to Acadia National Park in Maine and from Nova Scotia to Miami.  He also enjoyed spontaneous motorcycle trips to NASCAR races where they always found the most scenic routes. They would dance every dance at parties. Guy found joy in snowmobiling with his son, Ryan.  They needed to do at least 100 miles a day or it wasn't a "good" day. Cross-country skiing in Rodman and going to the camp in Barnes Corners provided much enjoyment over the years.  He loved golfing at the Park where he had been a member, skating on Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, and biking on the Black River Trail. Going as fast as he could from one end to the other was considered fun.  Guy was also a lifetime member of the N Side Improvement League.

He was predeceased by his parents and siblings: Lyle, Mazola, Ralph, Madeline, Beverly, Shirley, Raymond, John, Patsy, Frank, Joe, and Lynn. Guy was married to Donna Smith until her untimely death.   Together they had three daughters: JaNae, Rae Anne, and Cherene. 

In 1985, Guy married Linda Pitcher, and they welcomed a son, Ryan. 

He is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Ryan (Macayla) Robinson, JaNae Zimmer, Rae Anne (Steve) Robinson, and Cherene (Mark)DeRosia.  He was so proud of his grandchildren, Patrick (Melissa) Zimmer, Peter (Caitlin) Zimmer, Brandon (Kate) DeRosia, Kaitlyn (Brock) DeRosia, Mackenzie Hilts, Reid Robinson, Ryder Robinson, and Reece Robinson; and great-grandchildren, Collins, Lia, Nora, Reed, Jackson, Wiley, Sloane, and Oaklyn. He is also survived by many many nieces and nephews. 

Guy was a ray of light. Always smiling, always hopeful.  He decided early that travel coud be had by a career in long distance trucking.  His driving talent was immense, only surpassed by the love he had for family.

The last seven years in Guys life have been, for the lack of a better word brutal.  He dealt with numeous targeted therapies, surgeries, procedures, infusions, injections and insidious pain.  He fought to the bitter end.  For those of us who were on this journey with him it was simply heartbreaking to watch.

The skills and strength Guy needed to fight for his life were the same qualities that made him a fierce competitor on the racetrack.  Guy was gritty and persistant.  He never gave an inch and that was his approach to life.  

Arrangements are with Johnson Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at the convenience of the family in Brownville Cemetery. 

Donations in Guy’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Online condolences can be shared at www.dexterfuneralhome.com.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.