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Joe had an unselfish and loyal devotion to God, Family, City, County, State, Nation, and the Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Medical Services. He was a member of St. Mary of the Mills Roman Catholic Church. Of Joe’s many accomplishments, he considered his family his proudest. In addition to his wife and daughters, he is survived by six grandchildren, Christina (William) McKenney, Samantha (Nick) Johnson, Matthew Sanders, Rebecca (David) Gavin, Sarah (Edwin) Betman, and Ruth (David) Bryant; and eight great-grandchildren, Monica, Jackson, Molly, Camden, Levi, Sanders, Mia and Emma. Joe loved to travel with the ENTIRE family. Cruising together was one of his favorite things to do.
Joe graduated from the Laurel High School on Montgomery Street in 1952, where he was the Senior Class President. Joe was very involved in athletics in high school. When he was 16 years old, he asked another Laurel High athlete on a date, and that was the beginning of a 71 year love story!
Joe entered the United States Army after High School and served at Fort Knox during the Korean War. He was a member of both the American Legion and the Korean War Veterans. When he returned from service, he married Joan on Friday, May 13, 1955. Joe worked at the United States Postal Service for over 36 years, beginning as a clerk at the Laurel Post Office, and retired from Postal Headquarters in 1988 as a Quality Control Specialist.
Firefighting had been in Joe’s blood since he was a little boy. He had over 70 years of continuous and faithful service except for his two years in the Army. Even then he could be found at the fire department or rescue squad during his leave. He began his firefighting with the Maryland State Forestry Department at the age of 14. His application for membership in the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department (LVFD) was accepted in September 1951. He served in all operational offices of the LVFD and for 30 years served on its Board of Trustees. In 1999, Engine 103 was dedicated to him and another member, Louis Luber. He was a charter member (1952) and life member of the Laurel Volunteer Rescue Squad (LVRS). As Chairman of the Board of Directors, he was instrumental in obtaining the land and coordinating the construction of their first station which they still occupy. He also served as Treasurer of the Building Committee.
He had over 50 years of active involvement in the Maryland Fire Chief’s Association (MFCA) and the Prince George’s County Volunteer Fire & Rescue Association (PGCVF&RA). In 1961, Joe became involved with the Maryland State Firemen’s Association (MSFA), and remained active until his death. He has served as President of all three of these Associations. Joe is a member of the Hall of Fame in both the MSFA and the PGCVF&RA and is an Honorary and Life Member of the MFCA. He also received Honorary Membership into the English Council Junior Fire Department for the establishment of a statewide committee to promote Junior Firefighters when he was President of the MFSA and for his continued support. He is an honorary Member of the Berwyn Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad and the Greenbelt Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue Squad – companies he served for 33 years as their Fire Commissioner.
Joe was very active in his community having served as Councilman and Mayor. During his term as Mayor, recycling was begun, a sports park was established, a new community center was designed and built, the first new building for the City of Laurel in over 100 years, and the purchase and renovation of the present City Hall was completed. He chaired the City’s yearlong 125th Anniversary Committee. He served as the Director of the City’s Emergency Services Commission.
In 1993, he was honored by the Rotary Club with their Four Star Award.
Joe’s commitment to the Laurel Historical Society (LHS) was long and extensive. He was instrumental in securing and supporting the renovation of the Laurel Museum. As Mayor he also helped in the effort to obtain funding for the building’s restoration. He later served many years as Chairman of the LHS Board. He was given the honor of Director Emeritus. Joe was known as Laurel’s unofficial historian and conducted tours of Historic Main Street and the Patuxent River, as well as his “history lessons” at the Mayor’s annual open house.
Joe was a man of integrity, action, and commitment. He took civic responsibility and community service seriously and lived these qualities. He served quietly and with a desire to succeed in whatever duties he assumed. He was a man of purpose with an extraordinary vision who worked to make a difference in the fire service, his community, and those he served alongside. He will be missed by all who knew him.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the “LVFD Joseph R. Robison Memorial Scholarship Fund.”
Due to the COVID pandemic the family will be hosting a Drive-Thru visitation On Friday, November 13, 2020 at the Laurel Volunteer Fire Department (Station 10), 7411 Cherry Ln, Laurel, MD 20707 from 2:00 PM until 6:00 PM. Everyone who knew and loved Joe is welcome to attend.
Due to current restrictions on number of attendees a private Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the family only at Joe’s home church on Saturday, November 14, 2020. To view a recording of the Funeral Services please click HERE
The family will be planning a Memorial Service when conditions permit.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph R. Robison, please visit our floral store.