Alfred Robinson, Jr.
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Published in The Inquirer and Mirror on July 15, 2026
Alfred Francis “Frank” Robinson Jr., 83, of Nantucket, passed away Friday, June 19, 2026 after a heroic five-year battle with ALS.
Born Jan. 10, 1943 in Charlottesville, Va., he was the eldest child of Alfred Francis Robinson Sr. and Elizabeth Nelson Robinson and a direct descendant of Thomas Nelson Jr., signer of the Declaration of Independence.
Frank grew up in Richmond, Va., and attended John Marshall High School where he was a member of the Cadet Corps and earned the rank of Eagle Scout with the Boy Scouts, graduating in 1960 at the age of 16.
Frank went to Hampden Sydney College and was a member of the Theta Chi fraternity, earning his degree in 1964. During his senior year he represented Hampden Sydney on their college bowl team on the TV game show.
He went on to receive his Juris Doctor from the University of Virginia School of Law, graduating in 1967. He remained devoted to his Virginia alma maters throughout his life.
Upon graduation from UVA Law, Frank accepted a job with the law firm of Mitchell, Petty and Shetterly and moved to New York City, beginning a lifelong career in public finance.
Frank never had to write a resume again. He was made a partner and spent his entire career with Mitchell Petty as it merged with Brown and Wood and ultimately Sidley Austin. Frank worked at the North Tower of One World Trade Center for almost 30 years until Sept. 11, 2001.
Through his 48 years in municipal law, Frank represented many notable clients including the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel Authority, the Virginia Public School Authority, U.S. Tennis Association and American Municipal Power Ohio, where his work was honored on their Wall of Fame.
Frank truly loved and took tremendous pride in his work, and his discipline, attention to detail and remarkable work ethic were hallmarks of his impressive career.
During a weekend in the Hamptons, Frank met the love of his life, Sharon Elaine Farrell, and they married in 1972 and moved to Larchmont, N.Y., where they had four children and where Frank served as senior warden of St. John’s Episcopal Church, before moving to New Canaan, Conn. in 1994.
In 1976, Frank and Sharon went on a “short trip” to Nantucket and never left. They fell in love with the island and its community.
Many of Frank’s favorite moments were spent watching the buggy races at Miacomet (rooting for his favorite horse, “Bucky Boy”), enjoying family dinners around the great oval table in his dining room and surf-casting at Great Point with a long line of non-purebred, Lab-type dogs at his side.
After 10 years of renting, in 1986 they bought a “summer” house that became their permanent residence in 2013.
Frank retired in 2015. Never one to rest on his laurels, or rest in general, during Frank’s “retirement” he really got to work. He was a hyperactive member of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, serving on the vestry, as church treasurer and representative to the Interfaith Council.
As part of St. Paul’s community outreach program, he spearheaded and led their Laundry Love program, providing free laundry services to those in need.
He founded the after-school snack program for the Nantucket Community School, served on the Nantucket Cottage Hospital Ethics Board and was instrumental in the establishment of Rising Tide Preschool, in addition to volunteering with numerous other community organizations and projects.
He gave of his time and energy tirelessly and deeply believed that a life well-lived was lived in the service of others. A true Virginia gentleman, Frank was a man of deep principles, humility and integrity. He respected hard work and demanded no less of himself than he did of others.
He will be remembered for his sharp wit, dry sense of humor, the twinkle in his eye when he was bemused and his palpable disdain for anyone using improper grammar, but above all for his fierce loyalty to and deep and abiding love for his family and friends.
Frank is survived by his wife, Sharon; and his children, Virginia Ruth Robinson (Sean Maher) of Hingham, Harris Farrell Robinson (Heidi Haigh) of Nantucket, Kate Crosby Robinson of Middleton and John Page Robinson (Noel Smith) of Old Lyme, Conn.; six grandchildren, Grace Farrell and Elizabeth Frances (Lily) Maher, Scout Farrell Robinson, Charles Francis, Eleanor Laine and Theadora Louise Robinson; his sisters, Katharine Page Robinson Kemp (Alan) of Richmond, Va. and Elizabeth Kinloch Robinson Warman (Christopher) of Ludlow, England; and his beloved nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donations in his memory may be made to Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS) Falmouth.
The Robinson family wishes to express their profound gratitude to the Nantucket home health aides and nurses who devoted themselves to Frank’s care throughout his battle with ALS, and to CCALS for providing the support and equipment which allowed Frank to remain at home.
A memorial service is being planned for a later date.