The family of Calvin Robertson announce his passing at the age of 94 at his residence on December 6, 2025.
Cal was born in Rainy River on August 1, 1931, to parents Wilfred and Annie Robertson (nee Gamsby). He was united in marriage to Noreen Rogers in 1952, and they had three children Susan, Dale and Don.
Left to mourn his passing is son Don (Sandra) Robertson of Fort Frances; sister Bev (Denis) Busch of Fort Frances; and sister-in-law Harriet Robertson of Victoria, B.C.
Cal also leaves behind granddaughter Karrie (Darren) LeCraw of London, Ontario; grandson Steve (Cheryl) Robertson of Sunderland, Ontario; granddaughter Laura (Travis) Lichti of Jarvis, Ontario. His great-grandchildren are Reid and Birch LeCraw, Ella Robertson, Tyson and Leah Lichti.
He was predeceased by his wife Noreen in 2024; also predeceased by parents Wilfred and Annie Robertson and brother Murray Robertson; son Dale in 1980 and daughter Susan in 2024.
Cal was well known throughout the northwest, as his policing career with the Ontario Provincial Police saw many transfers. Over the course of his distinguished 32-year career, he served at Kenora, Ear Falls, Sioux Lookout (twice), Dryden (twice), Atikokan (twice) and Emo (twice). He was the Detachment Commander at Atikokan, Sioux Lookout and Emo, an assignment that he was honoured to hold for more than fifteen years.
Cal had an active youth, participating in a variety of sports but he excelled at curling and fastpitch softball. It has been said that his blistering line-drive home runs over the right field wall were quite something to be seen. He was on a fastpitch team that played against the legendary “King and his Court” travelling exhibition team. He said, as the opposing catcher, he was invited to catch a pitch or two from the great Eddie Feigner.
He curled on many successful teams, winning numerous bonspiels and club championships. In 1986 he was proud to be part of the victorious Northern Ontario Senior Curling Championship rink. Along with Jake Kehler, Walter Avis and Bruce Holmlund they went on to represent the North at the National Championship. He also skipped teams many times at the National Police Curling Championship. When his competitive days ended, he continued in the games he loved as an official. For many years he umpired softball throughout Northwestern Ontario and served as an official at local, regional and provincial curling championships. He and Noreen also travelled extensively just to watch curling championship of all sorts including the Brier and World Championships.
His love of working in the community was not limited to sport. He was heavily involved with the Masonic Lodge, Shriners, Kiwanis Clubs and Laverendrye Hospital Auxiliary. For many years he could be found working at the Shrine Circus or the Kiwanis steak fry. He had a particular passion for Sunny Cove Camp and he was a fixture with the Kiwanis TV auction. He truly believed in volunteering in his community.
He also knew how to relax and he loved their cabin on Lake Of The Woods at Morson, travelling there almost every weekend from May to September from whichever town they lived. When the chores were finished, he was known to hop in the boat for a bit of fishing or just dive in the lake for a refreshing swim.
Cal held Life Memberships in The Police Association of Ontario, the Ontario Provincial Police Veteran’s Association, The Canadian Police Curling Association and La Verendrye General Hospital Auxiliary.
A funeral will be held Saturday, December 20, at 11:00am at Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, Ontario. Interment will occur in Rainy River Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, as per the family’s wishes, donations may be made to the Kenora/Rainy River Districts Alzheimer Society, The Riverside Health Care “Lights, Camera, DIAGNOSIS!” Campaign or to a charity of your choosing.
Arrangements entrusted to Northridge Funeral Home Ltd., Emo, Ontario.
