ROBERT ALLEN DORRINGTON

06 JAN 1939 – 26 MAR 2016

It is with unspeakable grief that I write this to tell you all our Bobby Allen’s mother, Dora, has come for him .
He left quietly, in dignity, at 0545 26th March 2016 with a sense of peace about him. Bob was 77.
Bob was a remarkable human being who loved his life and his family.

His life was turned upside down when at the age of 16 he suffered the loss of his mother. He joined the Royal Canadian Navy , married and had three children, two daughters, Carla in Dartmouth, NS and Robin of Maui, USA The loss of an infant son, Robbie troubled him for many years. Carla and her husband, Philip gave him two grandchildren, Zackery and Vanessa. Sadly he was never able to meet his great grandchildren, Gavin and Aria, the children of Zackery and his wife Shannon. Robin and her husband Charles, gave him five grandchildren, Jezua, Judah, Jahlani, Malaika and Kawai.

His navy career spanned 25 years, 162 days where he rose to the rank of Chief Petty Officer (Master Warrant Officer). He served on many ships in the Halifax area and on the west coast at Esquimalt where he met and married Villoy Mitchell in 1981. He was a warm and loving step-dad to Sandilea, Paul, Caara, Clayton and Jeffrey and a great step-granddad to their children. He himself found joy in the devotion of his little dog, Shayda. He was a good brother-in-law to Llewellyn who predeceased him, Loretta, Thomas (Anne), Bim(Greg) and uncle to their respective children.

Upon his retirement from the RCN he embarked upon a second career as a Test & Trials engineer for Saint John Shipbuilding where he remained for thirteen years. He again retired and came back to the west coast to spend 7 years as an RCMP guard.

During Bob’s lifetime, he encountered many racisms, his maternal roots going back to Sierra Leone, Africa while his paternal roots stemmed from Iceland , Scotland and Norway.. He grew up in a warm and loving family with his mother, the former Dora Lawrence , step-father Bill Dorrington and a step sister, Mona Cromwell becoming a much loved uncle to Mona’s children, in a very racist community however he always said he had few regrets in spite of the adversities thrust upon him.

Bob loved to volunteer – he enjoyed working with the disabled at the riding academy in Duncan, BC and being a member of the Malahat Lions Club. He was an avid curler for many years enjoying the prestigious honour of a seven ender under his leadership .

He was indeed a gentleman.

There will be no formal service. We ask that you honour his life with a random act of kindness .

He is at peace as are we his family who wish to express a grateful appreciation for the kindness and loving care Bob received at the Little Mountain Manor in Parksville during his last days.

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