David I Robinson

David Ivory Robinson, 84, of Sanford, passed away at his home on Sunday, May 30, 2026.

Born on March 24, 1942, in Mechanic Falls, Maine, David was the son of the late James and Katherine (Harriman) Robinson.

David spent his childhood in York County and attended local schools in Sanford. He spent most of his teen years working in his grandfather Charles Harriman’s logging camp. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was assigned as a Quartermaster. He proudly served his country from 1959 to 1963 and sailed to both the Mediterranean Sea for two tours, and to the Caribbean Sea during the Cuban Missile Crisis blockade in October 1962. His shore duty took him to both Norfolk, VA and New London, CT. He also later served in the New Hampshire Air National Guard on Pease AFB from 1974-1977 as a Staff Sergeant in the Security Forces.

Following his military service, David went back to school and completed a GED program. He was reacquainted with Diane Day from Waterboro, Maine, and they were married in December 1963. They had three children together, Christopher (1966), Dennis (1968) and Craig Robinson (1970). He worked for a painting contractor before starting his own business and had a successful career as a painter and interior decorator for over 35 years. He and Diane were divorced in 1978. David later married Marie (Littlefield) Houle in 1979 and helped raise Marie’s two daughters, Crystal and Wanda Houle. Marie and David worked together as a team. He approached his work as an art form, taking great pride in the craftsmanship he brought throughout York County. His largest and most lucrative contract involved painting the exterior and interior of every house in the Rosenfield Land Co. development on RTE 99 in Sanford from 1975-1977.

David’s Christian faith was an important part of his life, and he was a devoted member of Springvale Baptist Church, and his church family.

Above all, David was a loving father and family man. He mentored his sons and other boys in Sanford while coaching Little League for the SSYAA program, teaching his sons about having a strong work ethic, fairness and accountability. He worked hard to gain the trust of his stepdaughters. He enjoyed camping, cooking out, spending time with his children, and making others laugh. He had a quick wit and a good sense of humor.

David was predeceased by his father, James Theorodre Robinson, his mother, Katherine Flora (Harriman), Robinson, his wives, Diane Elaine (Day) Robinson and Marie (Littlefield) Robinson; and by his older brother, James Robinson, who passed away at the age of four.

He is survived by his widow, Frances Robinson of Sanford; his sons, Christopher and Shelley Robinson of Sanford, Dennis and Sharon Robinson of Stoneville, North Carolina, and Craig Robinson of Ridgeway, Virginia; his step-daughters Crystal and Randall Richard of Lisbon Falls, Wanda Houle of Keene, New Hampshire, and his grandchildren, Tabatha and Jacob Akins of Cumberland City, Tennessee, Tara and Julian Recella of Clarksville, Tennessee, Frieda Robinson of Ludwigsburg, Germany, and Katie and John Hodges of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Tiffany and Juan Canales Barahona of Collinsville, Virginia, Christopher Robinson and David Robinson, both of Martinsville, Virginia, Karissa and Eric Timberlake of Livermore, and James Richard of Livermore.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, June 5, at 10:00 a.m. at Southern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 83 Stanley Road, Springvale.

He will be remembered for his faith, dedication to his family, service to his country, and the laughter he brought to those around him.