Our Family's History
The founder of the firm was Dyzart J. Robb. He established the company on this exact same corner over 87 years ago in 1924. Born in Ireland, young D.J. came to Canada with his parents and siblings near the turn of the last century. D.J. as he was known, entered into the profession as an apprentice with Phippen and Simpson Funeral Home in Sarnia and purchased the company. He operated under the name of the D. J. Robb Funeral Home and Ambulance Service for the next 33 years. He died in September of 1957 while working at his desk. He left his two sons a legacy of valued service and a standard of excellence that is still maintained today.
Now under the name of D. J. Robb & Sons Funeral Home, sons Bob and Jack had worked for their father since the end of the war. They took over ownership of the firm after his death. They discontinued the ambulance service in 1958 when the hospital began their own service and promptly donated all of their equipment, including a newer model Superior Cadillac ambulance to the local St. John's Ambulance organization. The firm continued to grow under their watch for many years. Jack passed away in 1979 and Bob in 1995.
After Jack’s death, Bob felt it was time to begin the process of entering into a partnership with his sons Jim and Bill, who had been licensed and working with the firm for several years. In 1980 they began the purchase of shares, becoming partners in the company. Bob suffered a massive stroke in 1982 that forced him into retirement but was proud to see that the company would continue for yet one more generation. The traditions and values would continue, always striving to do better and improve upon existing services and developing new ones to meet the changing needs of families today.
An expansion project in 1988 saw the addition of a new 250 seat funeral chapel along with new offices, casket and urn display areas and garage space. This made the funeral home only one in Lambton County with its own chapel designed specifically for funeral and memorial services. There are new plans now for a future further expansion to help us meet the needs of the families we serve.
We are honored that this company has had the privilege to serve and be the first choice of so many of our community's families for these many years. Their continued trust in us not only makes us humble, it also makes us more dedicated to continually work harder to improve and provide the services that people are wanting today.