Robin Fullalove

October 12th 1932 – March 9th 2022

It is with sadness that we announce the death of Robin Fullalove, aged 89 in Parksville, BC.

Robin was born in Portsmouth on the south coast of England. He was the eldest of five children and spent much of his childhood in the shadow of World War 2. Early in his life he developed a passion for music that continued throughout his life. As a teenager he learned to play the trumpet in the Salvation Army. This enabled him to spend his two year compulsory National Service in the army as a military musician where, at the end of his service, he played in one of the many marching bands at Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation.

Following the army Robin studied for the priesthood at a Jesuit seminary, Campion House in London. Completing his studies, he entered Quarr Abbey on the Isle of Wight where he was a novice Benedictine monk for two years. He left the monastery and worked at a variety of jobs before training as a teacher at Portsmouth College of Education where he met his wife, Linda. They were married in 1964. Robin spent several happy years teaching History at Havant Grammar School before emigrating to Canada in 1968.

Robin taught in Spiritwood and Paynton, Sask. and attended the University of Saskatchewan where he graduated with a B.Ed. specializing in music education. In 1971 he began a long teaching career with Calgary Catholic School Board where he taught Music, Social Studies and Latin at Bishop Carrol High School. During a sabbatical year he completed an MA in Religious Studies and later taught at Father Lacombe High School.

Robin enjoyed participating in the musical life of the city by singing in a variety of choirs and playing French horn in community bands. For several years he was choir director at St. Anthony’s Church. He later found his musical and spiritual home in the choirs of the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer, and in Christ Church, Elbow Park. During this time he composed several pieces for the choir and had the opportunity to sing on tour with the choirs in several English cathedrals. Robin volunteered for the Calgary Regional Arts Foundation, Inglewood Bird Sanctuary and the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area.

In 2009 he moved to Parksville where he led a quiet life, enjoying books and music, happy to live near the ocean and amid the beauty of the BC coast as he struggled with failing health.

Teacher, musician, husband, father and friend, he had a long and fulfilled life and will be missed.

He is survived by his wife Linda, and children, Ben (Susan Menzies), Claire Jacquin (Marc), Greg (Gemira McLary), brothers Kenneth and Raymond and sister Muriel Janson,

A memorial service will be held in Calgary in early May. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to a charity of your choice in Robin’s memory.
Published on March 16, 20