Double tragedy: ‘A skilled pilot and doting dad’

Islanders have been truly shocked by the deaths of Myron Anthony Robinson and Regina Robinson — and none more so than those who were close to the couple.

As experts set about determining exactly how they died, it is clear from what we know so far that something awful happened at the couple’s Wellington Slip Road home. Rumours are rife about what transpired but until autopsies are complete, no-one knows for sure. 

What is certain is that two people, who were well-loved and in the prime of life, will be sorely missed.

'A man of the sea who was devoted to his two young children’.

That was how Anthony Robinson was remembered by colleagues and loved ones as they struggled to come to terms with his sudden death.

Mr Robinson and his wife, Regina Robinson, who married in 2008, were found dead in their St George’s home on Monday afternoon.

Yesterday, as a forensic pathologist flew into Bermuda to help police with inquiries, friends and family paid tribute to the popular 49-year-old, who had a son, Malik, and a daughter, Malay, from a previous marriage.

His cousin, Sharon Gibson, told the Bermuda Sun: “He was so full of life.

“His little girl, Malay, was the apple of his eye and he always made time for his two children.

“I saw him just last Saturday at our uncle’s wake — two days later no one would have thought that something like this could have happened. It really does not feel real to the family.

“When I saw him he was very happy about life and we talked about his plans for this summer and his upcoming birthday.”

She added: “Anthony enjoyed everything about boats and the sea. That was his passion.

“He had seen the world and been a real ambassador for Bermuda.

“He and Regina loved to cook. He is from a good family with Christian parents, reliable and loving. Everyone is just stunned at the moment by what has happened.”

Mr Robinson grew up on the North Shore of Bermuda with his brothers, Daniel and Richard, and his sister Dorothy-Ann.

From a young age he had a passion for boats and the sea.

He started off as a ferry pilot and studied maritime studies at the Nova Scotia Community College in Canada.

Mr Robinson gradually worked his way up the ranks to Senior Branch Pilot, the third most senior pilot position in Bermuda, during a career spanning more than 25 years.

Work colleagues feared that something was not quite right when Mr Robinson failed to show up for work on Monday morning.

Deputy Pilot Warden, Mario Thompson, told the Sun that Pilot Robinson was a true professional as well as a caring father.

He added: “I worked with Pilot Robinson for 25 years.

“But we were also good friends out of work. He was my son, D-Vario’s, godfather, while my wife, Gina, is his son Malik’s godmother.

“He will be sadly missed by all of us.

“It was devastating to hear what happened on Monday and we are all trying to pull together.

“I spoke to him on Sunday and he seemed very cheerful.

“We were talking about preparing the pilot boat St David for dry dock but we talked about other things too.

“We always had good banter when we were together on and off the job.”

Mr Thompson added: “Pilot Robinson was very proud of the job that he did.

“He was never late and had a wonderful rapport with all the captains and officers he would meet in the course of his work.

“He also enjoyed sports like fishing and cricket and was a very supportive father to his two children.”

Branch Pilot Chad Townsell told the Sun that Mr Robinson had been a mentor to many of the younger pilots.

He added: “Pilot Robinson loved what he did. It was a passion for him.

“He was never late for work, he was almost always early. So everyone was surprised when he did not show up for work on Monday.

“I tried calling him myself at around 11am but the phone went straight to voicemail.

“I feel like I have lost a friend and a mentor.

“I think we are all going to feel it this summer, especially when we are so used to having him around.”

Wendell Burchall Junior, Senior Branch Pilot told the Sun: “I worked with Myron on the Warwick ferry route back in 1987 when he was ferry pilot for at least one year before he was promoted to the Somerset route.

“We got along very well as he was a good pilot and treated his crew and the passengers professionally.

“He left the ferries in the mid 80s to become an apprentice in the Pilot Service where I would join him a decade later.

“He was always very skilled as a Pilot and shared his knowledge and experiences with myself and the other apprentices to follow. 

“We worked well together and socialized on island and when overseas on business.

“Pilot Robinson always thought highly of the Branch Pilot Service and shipping as a whole and how we provide a valuable service to the island and improving it.

“He was always proud of his children and their achievements and travelled with them often.

“He was very happy and proud the day he married Regina and of the life they were building together.

“It is a sad loss to the Pilot Service and the Department of Marine and Ports as well as his and her families, and they will be missed.” 

• Double tragedy: Family and friends shocked by couple’s death

• ‘A daughter of St George's’