Thomas Marshall Robinson Jr. died on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010 at UNC Hospitals following a brief illness. Tom was born in New Hanover County, N.C. on Nov.19, 1951. He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Marshall Robinson and Merle Parker Robinson, of Wilmington, N.C. Tom earned a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences at UNC-Chapel Hill as well as studying marine biology in Norway at the University of Oslo. He also pursued post-graduate studies also in biological sciences at UNC.
Tom combined his academic specialization and knowledge of the seafood industry and the North Carolina coastal region to start his own wholesale and retail business, first in Chapel Hill, N.C. and then in Carrboro, at Tom Robinson’s Seafood. Tom took great pride in providing an excellent seafood supply to restaurant clients and friends in Orange County and beyond. His many customers and friends came to count on Tom for providing not only the freshest catch available but also enlightening educational chats in the process. His customers knew that when they purchased seafood from Tom, they would become more knowledgeable consumers and a bit enlightened on Tom’s philosophy of the world.
Throughout his life, Tom traveled the world and made great friends everywhere he went. He maintained active relationships with friends not only in North Carolina and throughout the U.S. but also in Canada, France, Belgium, Norway and elsewhere.
Tom was a longtime environmentalist and he cherished his time applying his biological knowledge to the cultivation of various fruits and vegetables at his farm. He relished the opportunity to train racing pigeons and was a willing teacher of this ancient pastime to family and friends.
Tom is survived by his sweetheart and life partner, Kay Hamrick of Chapel Hill, and two sisters, Kathleen and Jane.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 7 at 2 p.m.at Walker’s Funeral Home on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the North Carolina Coastal Federation.