Frederick Robinson

Frederick L. Robinson, Jr, age 90, passed away from natural causes on June 4, 2021, in Rialto, CA. Fred was born in New Haven, Connecticut on September 2, 1930, to Rachel E. Robinson and Frederick Robinson. Fred was a graduate of Suffield Academy, Class of ’49 and was involved in many sports including varsity football, basketball, baseball and track. He remained active in sports throughout his life and participated in as many as time and health would allow.
In 1950, Fred majored in criminology at the University of Washington. Although he enjoyed college, he left before graduating to serve his country in the Army. He served from 1952-1954 and was discharged with honors. After leaving the military, Fred was drawn back to the world of sports and pursued a career in professional football. In 1955, the Cleveland Browns drafted Fred as a Guard. He helped the Browns win the Eastern Conference Title in 1957. Soon after, Fred followed his football dreams to Canada where he played briefly with the BC Lions, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Rough Riders, and the Hamilton Tiger Cats. In 1960, he won the Grey Cup with the Toronto Argonauts.
Fred lived a fulfilling life as a husband, father, athlete, educator, and mentor. He was a hardworking man who tried his hand in many fields before settling into his calling as an educator. Throughout his life, Fred worked as a sheriff’s deputy, a car salesman, and a public transit operator. He found his calling as an educator when he began working with adolescents with emotional and behavioral difficulties at Camry Group Home and Crossroads High School. He was a classroom aid until he returned to college and earned his Master’s in Education and became the teacher. In 1998, Fred transferred his skills to the Corona Norco Unified School District where he taught home education for high school students until he retired in 2016.
Fred is survived by his friend, partner and wife of 50 years, Mary N. Robinson; Children Gwen, Sheryl, Michael (Joan), Dana, Kimberley (Dave), David (Aissacit), and Diana; his nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren; and his sister Rose Zanders. He is predeceased by his mother and father, his grandson Frederick L. Robinson IV, son Frederick L. Robinson III, and sister Rachel Ferguson. In keeping with his nature, funeral services are private and for immediate family only. Those wishing to honor his life can make donations in his name to the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund.
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