Robin Francis Mail Sr., Quinault Fisherman, 78, passed away peacefully at his residence in Ocean City on Jan. 16, 2018, surrounded by family. His celebration of life will be held at Coleman Mortuary in Hoquiam, Wash., on Monday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m. with a dinner to follow at the Community Center in Taholah, starting at 2 p.m. There will be no burial services.
Robin was born in Taholah and spent his early years in Seattle where the family worked in the war effort during WWII. They returned to Taholah in 1945, where Robin attended elementary school and later attended Moclips High School. Robin was a huge believer in the importance of education for everyone, demonstrating his commitment by returning to school and earning his AA at Grays Harbor College later in life.
In 1957, Robin joined the U.S. Marine Corps after a joy ride in a brand-new Buick and a strong recommendation from the Judge, serving for four years and spending time overseas in Okinawa, Japan.
Robin was an expert sawyer and worked at the Jackson Shake Mill for many years alongside Gerald Ellis, John Howard and others.
Robin truly loved the outdoors and was an enthusiastic clam digger from age six until the age of 77. In his younger years Robin fished on the Quinault River. From the 1980’s until just last year, Robin gillnetted in area 2-C in North Grays Harbor.
Robin was an accomplished canoe racer during the “hay day” of the sport in the 60s and 70s. His racing canoe, the “Jon-Thomas” was carved by Howie Hudson, a renowned canoe carver. Robin, at over six feet tall, said he needed two people to hold up the back of his canoe while he started his motor and took off to avoid sinking. They competed in races all around Western Washington including Sammamish Slough and Alki Point, Capitol Lake, Lake Quinault and La Push.
Robin loved hunting elk on the Reservation and Bakers Prairie was one of his favorite spots. Along with his longtime hunting partner, John Howard of Moclips, they would chase elk most evenings after work. One of his easiest hunts happened while floating down the Quinault River in a canoe with Butch James. They spotted a huge elk standing at the waters’ edge and dropped it with one shot (both hunters later claimed to have taken the shot!). After gutting and quartering the prize elk, they loaded it up, motored back up river to the pickup truck where the bow of the canoe came to rest at the tailgate. Robin turned to Butch and said, “that sure beats chasing elk all over the Rez!”
Robin dedicated his life to the betterment of the Quinault people. He believed passionately in free enterprise and market competition, and spent many years advocating for Quinault fishermen to be able to receive the best prices for their fish. He served on numerous community committees, including the Off-Reservation Fish Committee, Housing Board, TERO (Tribal Employment Rights) Commission, and most recently the Quinault Planning Commission.
Robin continued his work as a fisherman up until this past year, however he also greatly enjoyed occasional leisure time travels, which included trips to Hawaii and Europe.
Robin is survived by the love of his life, Carol Davis, his three children with his former wife Mary Ellen (deceased), daughters Robin Frances Gedda (Daniel Elliott) of Okawville, Ill., Tomi Lynn Charley (Frank Pickernell) of Taholah, son Jon-Thomas “JT” Mail of Ocean Shores; his sister Winona Weber; brothers John Mail, Andrew Mail, Thomas Mail, and James Mail; grandchildren Corey Gedda, Andrew Gedda, Christopher Elliott, Richard Charley, Montana Charley, Stevie Charley, Leslie Lynn Mail, Zach Mail, Jon-Thomas “J.T.” Mail Jr., Grace Elizabeth Mail; and 14 great-grandchildren. He was a loving uncle to his many nieces and nephews.
His parents Mildred “Dee Dee” (McCrory) and Andrew “Connie” Mail; sisters Veronica Mail Getty and Michele Sisneros; brothers Michael “Duff” Mail and infant Andrew Mail died previously.
Robin’s humor, biting wit and “tell it like it is” style, will be greatly missed.
Very special thanks go to Noreen Underwood-Jackson and Dr. Barbara Givens of the RSHC, and Lisa Hall, Tanya Schochin and Heather Worley of the EMT crew.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Quinault Indian Nation EMT program are requested by the family.
