Obituary of Paul Robertson

Paul Osmond Robertson (b. 27 Jan. 1961), died peacefully at home in Gananoque on 7 June with his husband of almost 30 years holding his hand. Born and raised in Thornhill (Toronto) he studied journalism at Carleton University, Ottawa, and then museum technology followed by a Master’s in history. In Ottawa he would work for the curatorial sections of the Official Residences, Parliament, and then the History Section of the Museum of Civilization (now Museum of History). In 2004 he moved with his spouse to the Kingston area to be the Curator of the Museum of Health Care and in 2011 became the Curator for the City of Kingston.

From 2003-19 he and his spouse lived in and were married in the former St. Mark’s Anglican Church in Deseronto where the two became involved with the Anglican Parish of Tyendinaga and Mohawk community.

In the autumn of 2020 Paul was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer caused by genetic variation BRCA2. He composed and distributed an essay about his journey with cancer and how men and the medical community should be more pro-active about testing, not only about prostate cancer in general but also BRCA2.

Paul is survived by his husband Edgar Tumak, brother Ian (Peggy, niece Hannah), and first spouse Glenda. Pre-deceased by his parents John and Rosalind, and step-parents Allis and Jack Currie. Paul was proud of his Scottish/Irish/Jamaican ancestry, and quick to make friends and even better at keeping them. He had a very positive outlook to life and kept this to the end.

If desired, donations can be considered for any of Paul’s numerous charitable and non-profit passions: museums, heritage and cultural organisations, humanitarian/refugee and LGBTQ+ causes, the Anglican Church, and Melos Choir and Period Instruments. He had great respect for the Cancer Centre based in Kingston.

Funeral service at St. George’s Cathedral, Kingston, 11:00 a.m., Saturday, 25 June 2022.  The service will also be streamed online through the Cathedral website. Reception will follow in St. George’s Great Hall.