Jim Robinson

SANFORD – James “Jim” Robert Robinson passed due to metastatic cholangiocarcinoma on Oct. 25, 2025, surrounded by family. Born in Monterey, Calif., on Sept. 6, 1949, to Doris (Rensink) and Robert Robinson, Jim was a Navy brat and saw more of the world by age 16 than many people do in a lifetime, eventually settling for his teenage years at Tulalip Beach outside of Marysville, Wash.

Never content to be conventional, Jim joined the Marine Corps in 1968 and served four years in Southern California and Vietnam before discharge. After returning to the states, he met Jana Liane Smith at Everett Community College, where he won a bet to take her out on a date. They married in 1979 and moved to Saudi Arabia, traveling the world together on their breaks. Jim and Jana left Saudi in 1984 and traveled to England, where they purchased and rebuilt a fishing trawler into their houseboat, the Kullen. They sailed the Kullen across the Atlantic, eventually landing in Northeast Harbor, where they lived for the next 40 years. And somehow, an old salt from the west coast found himself at home as an old salt on the east coast.

In 1989, they welcomed their only daughter, Joanna. Their little family, nicknamed J3R3, lived in Northeast Harbor, first aboard the Kullen and then back on land. Jim taught himself woodworking skills, first on working on boats and eventually opening Details in Wood, a fine carpentry business. He worked on many homes in the area, as well as teaching himself detailed carving and wood turning.

Jim picked up motorcycle riding again in the late ’90s, and could often be found riding twisty back roads with his daughter in the sidecar or participating in motorcycle rallies across the country. In the fine tradition of his North Carolinian ancestors, Jim also smoked any meats he could get his hands on and made his own moonshine, known amongst friends and family as Jimsky.

Jim is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Joanna and Seth Clarke; his deeply loved ex-wife, Jana Robinson; his dear cousin, Gene Robinson; his sister and brother-in-law Arlayne and Dave Monjay; and many chosen family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Bob and Doris; his baby sister, Holly Ann; his beloved black and white dog Rena; and fewer enemies than he might have wished.

A celebration of life (i.e. one last barbecue on the back deck) will be held on November 15 at Joanna and Seth’s home.

In lieu of flowers, please share a meal with your loved ones or buy a meal for a veteran in your community.