Justin Hoffman Robinson

Justin Hoffman Robinson, 31, of Grove City was called home to eternal rest and peace Sunday as a result of an accidental fatal overdose.

Born Aug. 28, 1984, Justin graduated in 2003 from Grove City High School. A natural athlete, he played both baseball, as a pitcher and on third base, and football, as a running back, for the Grove City Eagles, and he enjoyed the team camaraderie and enduring friendships forged through athletics as much as he enjoyed the games.

Justin had played with the Grove City All-Stars baseball team for many years and in 1999, the team won the state championship.

He enjoyed working out, lifting weights, following all sports, landscaping, hunting with his dad, brother and sister, and unbeknownst to many, was an avid reader of any books relating to the military, special ops or history, as well the Bible.

Justin felt that one of his biggest blessings and greatest source of pride was being Uncle Justin, and he loved to brag about time he spent with his nieces and nephews.

He worked in the maintenance department at the Orchard Manor Nursing Home from 2001 to 2015, where his infectious smile and kind heart brightened countless days for both residents and staff members.

Following graduation, Justin joined the U.S. Army National Guard and served proudly in Operation Iraqi Freedom in response to 9/11, where he was in C Battery 1/213th Air Defense Artillery as a turret machine-gunner in Iraq. During his second tour in Iraq, he was a member of HSC 628th Aviation Support Battalion, serving as a door gunner on the Chinook Helicopter and was awarded the Combat Action Badge.

He had also volunteered and trained for a third tour, which was canceled before deployment. Sgt. Robinson was honorably discharged in 2015.

Justin also displayed courage and true grit in personal physical and spiritual battles.

Though he returned home from the war with hearing loss from being hit by an IED and severe post-traumatic stress disorder, along with his commendations, the relationships with his brothers in combat were what he treasured most.

Ultimately, the enemy he could not overpower was addiction, though he fought back time and time again. Justin admired the honesty of families who bravely named the enemy publicly and would have wanted his long, hard struggle acknowledged in hopes of someday ending the shame and stigma associated with addiction, which can also delay early intervention.

For so many who loved him, Justin's presence was a shining light, irreplaceable and unforgettable. He loved people, and his generous and caring spirit drew them to him. He was a leader, no matter the endeavor.

Our hearts grieve to think of our loss and of his years cut short, but we know that when measured “between the dashes,” he touched many hearts and his life truly mattered to many. We are rich with the memories of the joy he brought us simply by being “Justin,” “J. Rob,” “Robbie,” “Jutty” and “#5.”

We are grateful for and so proud of the sacrifices Justin made for his country and for our freedom. We were blessed by his contagious smile and his good natured charm, but we were in awe of his perseverance and efforts to overcome his illness. We know that heaven has gained a true warrior.

The beloved son of Diane Robinson of Grove City and Randy Robinson of New Castle, Justin is also survived and will be sadly missed by his brother, Jeremy Robinson and his spouse, Becky, his nieces Kara and Kylee, and his sister, Emily Robinson and her spouse, Ryan, and his nephews, Noah and Jonah.

Justin also is survived and was adored by his aunts, uncles, cousins and many friends.

ROBINSON — Friends of Justin Hoffman Robinson, who died Sunday, Aug. 14, 2016, will be received by the family from 1 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 25, and 10 a.m. to noon Friday, Aug. 26, at Smith Funeral Home, 421 New Castle St., Slippery Rock.The funeral service will follow at 1 p.m. at Center Presbyterian Church, Slippery Rock, officiated by the Rev. Stephanie Thompson, pastor. A service of Christian burial will follow at 3 p.m. Saturday, at Erie Cemetery, Erie, Pa., with full military honors conducted by his soldier comrades who will proudly carry their brother home.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Justin Hoffman Robinson Scholarship Fund for Grove City High School Students, c/o The Grove City Foundation, 7 West State St., Suite 301, Sharon, PA 16146, or to any charity that benefits veterans.