In Loving Memory of

Paul Robinson, Sr.

Paul Robinson, Sr. was born on Friday, January 13, 1956, in Boston, Massachusetts, on Winthrop Street, to the late Olivia Soares-Robinson and Finley Robinson. Although he was the youngest of four children, Paul embodied everything it meant to be a dependable big brother. From an early age, his parents instilled in him the values of family, hard work, discipline, compassion, and legacy-principles that would guide him throughout his life.

Paul attended St. Patrick School and English High School before earning his GED. His love for music developed early, and as a young man, he played the drums in a local band before attending Northeastern Broadcasting School. He later completed an internship at W.I.L.D. Radio, where he spent two years producing radio commercials. His creativity, determination, and discipline earned him the respect of everyone who knew him.

Alongside several close friends, Paul founded the entertainment group W. We. Be. Cool, serving as the visionary behind the organization while his friends DJ'd the music. Through W. We. Be. Cool, countless local artists and musicians were given opportunities to showcase their talents, helping many gain recognition throughout the community. Inspired by its success, his sisters and his beloved late wife, Deborah, later formed their own group, Shades of Beauty.

Paul was an entrepreneur at heart and a man of many talents. Throughout his life, he wore many hats, always embracing every opportunity with pride. He drove Boston taxicabs during an era when drivers relied solely on paper maps, memory, and instinct-long before GPS became commercially used. He also worked in several family-owned businesses, including Parker Street Lounge, Finley's Liquors, Parker Superette (better known throughout Mission Hill as Paul's Foodland), and Color Circle Art, where he worked as a professional picture framer alongside his sister, Bernice, and brother-in-law, Paul Goodnight. By night, Paul shared his passion for music as a DJ at the Biarritz Lounge, blessing countless patrons with his ear for great music and his gift for creating an unforgettable atmosphere.

His lifelong passion for automobiles eventually led him to earn his Commercial Driver's License (CDL). He drove buses before discovering a special calling as a personal driver for senior citizens, a role he truly enjoyed because it allowed him to serve others. He later concluded his professional driving career with Uber and Lyft.

Anyone who knew Paul knew that cars and motorcycles weren't simply hobbies-they were part of who he was. Among his favorite cars were his Corvette and his beloved Datsun 240Z. His favorite motorcycle was his Kawasaki Ninja, and one of his greatest joys was giving neighborhood kids rides up and down the street whenever he had the chance. He also proudly owned a Honda Valkyrie, where he and his longtime friend Saiid of the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club shared countless unforgettable rides together.

In 1984, Paul married the love of his life, Deborah Jones-Robinson, affectionately known as "Sally." Together they built a beautiful life and raised a loving family. Although life presented its share of challenges, their love, friendship, resilience, and unwavering commitment to one another carried them through more than fifty years of friendship and a lifetime of cherished memories.

Paul was the proud father of eight beautiful children, each of whom he loved deeply. He shared four sons and a stepson with his late wife, Deborah; one son with Cynthia; and his cherished twin daughters with Carlotta.

Paul had a unique way of expressing his love. His "tough love" was unwavering, especially when it came to his daughters. His lectures were legendary-not because they were easy to hear, but because they were filled with wisdom, honesty, accountability, and life lessons. He believed in telling the truth, taking responsibility, and preparing his children for life's challenges. Make no mistake, Paul handed out his fair share of butt whippings, and at times they may have been excessive. As adults, however, his children came to understand the "why" behind his discipline. Every correction, every lecture, and every conversation-no matter how long-came from a place of unconditional love and an unwavering desire to see not only his children, but his family and friends, become the very best versions of themselves.

Paul was a natural-born leader whose expectations were high because his love was even greater. He believed in self-sufficiency, accountability, and standing up for what was right. He taught his children to advocate for themselves, work hard, and never settle for less than their potential. Family always came first, and there was never a gathering too small or too large for him to show up, lend a hand, share his wisdom, or simply be present.

Music remained one of Paul's greatest passions throughout his life. In the recording studio he built inside his home, he welcomed neighborhood youth, aspiring artists, and even established musicians like Smoke Bulga to record music. He also welcomed his own sons to create original music, proudly producing their tracks while encouraging their creativity and individuality. Paul became well known for creating the legendary W. We. Be. Cool mixtapes that brought joy throughout the community. If you ever visited his home, chances were the music would be playing so loudly that he wouldn't even realize you had walked through the front door. Once he heard a great beat, he was completely in his own world-singing, dancing, and embracing every moment.

Paul also possessed an unforgettable sense of humor. His famous "Dad jokes" often earned more groans than laughs, but they became part of his signature charm. He loved making people smile, loved to dance, loved to laugh, and lived life unapologetically on his own terms.

Above all else, Paul lived without regret because he was a man of God who remained grounded in His Word. His faith guided the way he lived, loved, and led his family. He was a man of extraordinary talent, remarkable accomplishments, unwavering convictions, and an enduring legacy. Nothing brought him greater pride than watching his children succeed. He celebrated every milestone they achieved, especially seeing his beloved twin daughters graduate from college and witnessing his son continue the Robinson legacy through twenty years of honorable military service, following in the footsteps of his father, Finley Robinson.

Though Paul has departed this earthly life, his voice, wisdom, laughter, strength, lessons, unwavering faith, and unconditional love will continue to live on through his family and everyone blessed enough to have known him.

Paul leaves to cherish his precious memory his children: Michael Jones; Antwaun Robinson; Hakim Robinson-Jordan and daughter-in-law Jennifer Afualo-Robinson; Paul Robinson Jr.; Andrew Robinson; Christopher Robinson and daughter-in-law Christina Robinson; Breyanna Martin Robinson; and Brittney Martin Robinson.

He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren: Jenai Jones, K'niya Robinson, Sylece Jones, Christopher "Butta" Robinson Jr., Myana Robinson, Antwaun "Leeky" Robinson Jr., Mikah Robinson-Jordan, Andrew "Keeme" Robinson Jr., Mikayla Robinson-Jordan, Alivia Robinson, Leannah Taraji "Sky" Robinson, Milan Robinson, Aaron Robinson, Ayden Robinson, and Christian "Christiano" Robinson.

He also leaves his cherished extended grandchildren: Marquee "Fatty" Dorsey, Andre Hamilton, Chanice "Cha Cha" Hamilton, Laniyah Reed, Lamaurie Reed, Emari Williams, and Layla Williams.

Paul is also survived by his beloved sister, Mary Robinson; his brother-in-law Paul Goodnight; his sisters- and brothers-in-law Tuwanda "Renee" Jones, Roger Jones, Anthony "Big Time" Jones, Michael Jones, and Gwendolyn Taylor; along with a host of nieces-many of whom lovingly called him "Uncle Dad"-nephews, cousins, lifelong friends, and countless extended family members whom he proudly considered his brothers and sisters.

He was preceded in death by his loving parents, Olivia Soares-Robinson and Finley Robinson; his beloved wife.