West Chesterfield - West Chesterfield - William Andrew "Andy" Robinson Jr., 72, of West Chesterfield, NH, took his final breath on June 11th, 2025 after a period of declining health.

Andy began life in Gloucester, MA and was raised by parents, Bill and Ruth Robinson, in Rockport, a quintessential seaside town on Boston's North Shore. The oldest of four siblings, Andy told great stories of his Rockport childhood and spoke of returning "home" there toward his end-of-life. After graduating from Rockport High School in 1970, Andy attended Salem State University where his father taught English Literature. During college and for a time afterwards, Andy was a proud volunteer for the Rockport Fire Department. He graduated in 1974 with a BSSW degree in social work which took him to an internship working for Legal Aid in Boston's North End. After a brief sojourn with the Coast Guard, Andy went on to serve as a sailmaker and salesperson for Hood Sailmaker in Marblehead, MA, a job which allowed him to meet and sail with America's Cup luminaries. During a year at an international school outside of Washington DC, he met his future wife, Diane (Tjaden) Robinson. They married in July 1981 in Putney, Vermont where an old family friend, Jeff Campbell (formerly of Putney School) officiated the wedding. Although then living a stone's throw from Little Harbor in Marblehead, the couple eventually moved to Putney in July 1983. Son, Colin, was born in 1984 in Brattleboro and Putney's Main Street was the family's home for the next 25 years. During that time Andy worked for a number of local businesses and organizations, but was most notably on a variety of Putney committees, including serving as Chair of the Select Board for several years in the 1990's. Andy also enjoyed completing coursework at Antioch University of New England for an MS in Management. He was also a years-long and proud member volunteer of Rescue Inc., taught CPR for them and was one of the founders of the Putney First Responders.

In 2008 the couple moved to a home in West Chesterfield with a perfect view of Mount Snow, where the family had spent much time skiing over the years. Andy continued his work at that time with SIT, Sojourns Clinic, VT Department of Labor, the BDCC and, finally, at Whitney-Blake Company in Bellows Falls where he retired in May 2021. Due to his declining health, he spent the last few years relaxing at home, puttering around and enjoying time with family and friends, especially his beloved granddaughters Hazel (12) and Cora (8).

Andy will be remembered as a person with a deep sense of integrity. Not only was he handy Andy at home, he could be called upon day or night to help out a friend or family member. Although not a member of a formal church or religion, his commitment to a spiritual life was strong and silent. He held a special affinity for Turkish culture and the practice of the whirling dervishes which included many years of study and eight extended visits to Turkey.

Andy is survived by wife, Diane, son, Colin Robinson and wife Sarah (granddaughters Hazel and Cora) of Burlington, VT, sister, Kate DeCoste of Gloucester, MA, brother Lawrence Robinson of New York, NY and brother David and wife Amy of Rockport, MA. Uncle Andy will also be remembered by nephews John and Paul Robinson and Mike DeCoste and niece, Lindsay DeCoste, all of Massachusetts.

MEMORIAL INFORMATION: A private service will be held at a date later this summer. Donations are welcomed in his name to: Rescue Inc., 541 Canal St. Brattleboro, VT 05301 or online: www.rescueinc.org.