Businessman.
Born at Grand Valley, Ontario around 1919, he moved to Toronto where, in 1942, he married his wife Rose (?-?). In 1946, he began experimenting in farm machinery with his brother-in-law Peter Pakosh. They moved to Winnipeg in 1952 and, in 1964, founded the Versatile Manufacturing Company with Robinson initially serving as Vice-President and later as President and General Manager. In 1977, he approved the construction of the Model 1080 articulated tractor. A single prototype, subsequently dubbed “Big Roy,” was built. After selling Versatile, he moved to the Bahamas where he resided until his death. He died at Freeport, Grand Bahamas on 20 August 1988 and was buried in the Elgins Mills Cemetery at Richmond Hill, Ontario. He was inducted posthumously into the Manitoba Agricultural Hall of Fame (2019).
“Versatile Manufacturing Ltd.,” Winnipeg Free Press, 7 March 1964, page 61.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 26 August 1988, page 38.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 3 November 2022
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