The families of Joe and Anita Robertson knew they were dedicated members of the community, but it’s only now they’re beginning to realize just how much of an impact they had on the region.

The Niagara community was shocked and devastated this week to learn of the deaths of Joe and Anita, along with their 24-year-old daughter Laura. They were the sole occupants of a plane that crashed in Greenville, Maine on Monday, July 30.

The Robertson family had a deep connection to Brock University. Joe spent a decade on the Board of Trustees and served as Chair from 2012-14. Anita was a dedicated volunteer and Laura had recently been hired to work in the athletics and recreation department.

“It’s very heartwarming to see the response from the community following this tragedy,” Joe’s brother Andy Robertson said Friday. “We have been surprised to learn they touched so many in the community, and it’s clear that Brock was an important part of that community commitment. As a family, we are incredibly proud of our little brother, his teenage sweetheart and the lives they made together with their three beautiful kids.”

Joe and Anita’s surviving children, Taylor and Clark, along with their extended family, are inviting the Niagara community to join them for a public Celebration of Lives service to be held at Brock on Friday, Aug. 10.

The family will receive friends from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. inside the Ian Beddis Gymnasium. A service will follow in the same location at 2:30 p.m. Overflow space will be provided in Sean O’Sullivan Theatre with a video feed from the auditorium.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Catharines and District United Way, War Child, or a favourite charity of choice. Memories, photos and condolences may be shared at morganfuneral.com

More information on parking and transit changes planned for Friday can be found here.