More than 500 people packed a funeral home Saturday to say a final farewell to Gary Robinson, a former city councillor and respected figure in the Surrey recovery community.
Teammates and opponents from both politics and hockey, as well as scores of people from the substance abuse recovery community, recounted stories of Robinson and his unique approach to things for which he was passionate.
He fought vigorously on council for preservation of parkland – including Green Timbers Forest and Surrey Bend – and was instrumental in securing a hockey rink for South Surrey.
He served on council from 1987 to 1999, at the same time he was battling addiction.
He sought treatment and went on to create a number of recovery homes. Robinson hosted and helped about 700 struggling addicts through his houses.
Robinson died Nov. 2 of a coronary event.
He was 57, and clean and sober, his wife Susan Sanderson said.