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Celebrating the life of
James Francis Robertson, Sr.
Passed away on June 01, 2019
Retired Fire Chief and General Manager of Southside Fire Department
James F. Robertson, Sr.
TYBEE ISLAND – James Francis Robertson, Sr., 85, died peacefully at Summer Breeze Assisted Living on Saturday, June 1, 2019.
Born in Savannah on June 30, 1933, he was the son of the late John Stewart and Sybilla Hansen Robertson. He attended Benedictine Military School and Armstrong State College and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean Conflict.
Jimmy was a communicant of St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, a member of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, a former fourth degree member of the Knights of Columbus, and was a past Chairman of the St. James School Board. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 154 and the Disabled American Veterans, Chapter 8.
He started a career in the homebuilding industry and was a member of the Homebuilders Association of Savannah as well as the Georgia Homebuilders Association.
Jimmy retired from Southside Fire Department in 1998. He was a member of the Board of Directors from 1968 until 1974, serving as President in 1974. He then served as Chief/General Manager from 1975 until 1998. Southside Fire Department dedicated their headquarters building in his honor for his “long-term vision and service to the citizens of Chatham County and for ‘Setting the Standard’ for emergency services locally, state-wide and across the southeastern United States”. He also built and started two fire departments in Bryan County.
Jimmy thoroughly enjoyed traveling in his motorhome with his good friend Sybiel Kersey to watch the Georgia Bulldogs play football.
Surviving are three children, James F. Robertson, Jr., Jackson Hurst Robertson, Sr., and Therese Robertson; two step-daughters, Lynn Mitchell Bostwick (James) and Deborah Mitchell Palpal-latoc; two grandchildren, Jackson Hurst Robertson, Jr. and Connor Lamar Robertson; three step-grandchildren, Lance, Christian, and Kylee Palpal-latoc; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was predeceased by his wife, Elizabeth Robertson; a son, John Stewart Robertson, and his seven brothers, Joseph, Michael, Raymond, Edgar, Gilbert, Siegvart, and Jack.
The family will receive friends Tuesday, June 4, 2019 from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel with a Rosary Service at 6:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, June 5, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church on Wilmington Island.
Interment will follow in the Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery with military and fire department honors.
Pallbearers will be Chief Wayne Noah, Jackson Robertson, Jr., Keith Hardin, Danny Robertson, Bobby Callaway, Michael Robertson, Bruce Remler, and Don McLendon.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Jimmy's good friends of Remler Romeos and his fellow firefighters from Chatham Emergency Services (formerly known as Southside Fire Department).
In lieu of flowers remembrances may be made to Benedictine Military School, St. Peter the Apostle Catholic Church, or St. Vincent’s Academy.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com.
Jimmy was a very special guy! We had good times with him going to Ga. games. RIP Jimmy!! ??
- Gary and Bonnie Pennington , Milledgeville., Ga.
Therese and family We are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
- Bill & Tricia Lewis, Tybee Island, GA
He was a good man and will be missed very badly
- Mary Hayman , Pooler , Ga
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
- Donna Hiltz Buttimer, Savannah, GA
Jack,Therese and family so sorry for your loss and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Joseph Sheffield, Tybee Island, GA
Thoughts and prayers to all of you. You will have many memories of your dad so they will keep you close to him. Remember to live so you will see him in the future. Remembrance is the best way to be close.
- Sherri Burnsed Connolly, Savannah, GA
I help take care of Mr. Robinson it hurts me to know he's gone. Im praying for the family
- Lavetra King, Savannah, GA
Therese and Family, We are sorry to read about your Dad. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Jackie and Charlie
- Jackie and Charlie Brown, Tybee Island/Metter, GA
So sorry to hear about Jimmy’s passing but know he’s in a better place. We have so many memories of our travels together and times in Bulldog Motor Coach Club. We won’t be able to come to funeral but want the family to know we will be thinking and praying for them. Gary & Kathy Roper Eatonton, Ga.
- Kathy and Gary Roper, Eatonton , GA
Jimmy was a very special guy! We had good times with him going to Ga. games. RIP Jimmy!! ??
- Gary and Bonnie Pennington , Milledgeville., Ga.
A candle has been lit!
- Tom Holland , Georg
Therese and family We are sorry for your loss. You are in our thoughts & prayers.
- Bill & Tricia Lewis, Tybee Island, GA
He was a good man and will be missed very badly
- Mary Hayman , Pooler , Ga
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
- Donna Hiltz Buttimer, Savannah, GA
Jack,Therese and family so sorry for your loss and know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
- Joseph Sheffield, Tybee Island, GA
Thoughts and prayers to all of you. You will have many memories of your dad so they will keep you close to him. Remember to live so you will see him in the future. Remembrance is the best way to be close.
- Sherri Burnsed Connolly, Savannah, GA
I help take care of Mr. Robinson it hurts me to know he's gone. Im praying for the family
- Lavetra King, Savannah, GA
A candle has been lit!
- Lavetra King , Georg
Therese and Family, We are sorry to read about your Dad. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Jackie and Charlie
- Jackie and Charlie Brown, Tybee Island/Metter, GA
A candle has been lit!
- Ben Fender , Georg
So sorry to hear about Jimmy’s passing but know he’s in a better place. We have so many memories of our travels together and times in Bulldog Motor Coach Club. We won’t be able to come to funeral but want the family to know we will be thinking and praying for them. Gary & Kathy Roper Eatonton, Ga.
- Kathy and Gary Roper, Eatonton , GA
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200