Obituary: John Robini - Passed Away

It is with great sadness that we share the news of the death of Councillor John Robini after a short illness. John was a much-loved and deeply respected member of the Waverley and Haslemere Liberal Democrat family, and his loss will be felt profoundly across our communities and by all who had the privilege to work alongside him.

Born and bred in Woking, John remained proud of his Surrey roots throughout his life — something reflected in his lifelong support for Woking F.C.. He began his working life in engineering at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough before embarking on a distinguished 43-year career with Surrey Police. As a Crime Reduction Advisor leading partnership projects, he developed a deep understanding of the challenges facing communities and became determined to make a difference locally.

After his marriage to fellow Liberal Democrat councillor Jacquie Keen, John moved to Haslemere around the turn of the century, embracing the town and its community with characteristic enthusiasm and commitment. He quickly became deeply involved in local life and passionate about improving the area for residents of all ages.

That commitment led him into local politics. After becoming involved in community issues in Witley, John served as a councillor and Chairman of Witley Parish Council before first being elected to Waverley Borough Council in 2003. Over the years he served across all three tiers of local government — at town, borough and county level — always bringing energy, compassion and practical determination to the roles he held.

At Waverley, John served on the Executive with responsibility for community safety, young people, older residents and car parks. He was instrumental in introducing a youth council and strengthening support for the Citizens Advice Bureau, alongside many other community initiatives. His dedication to young people never faded and one of his final acts as Surrey County Councillor for Haslemere was securing funding for the current Haslemere Youth Hub, a project he championed tirelessly because he believed young people in the area had been overlooked for too long.

As County Councillor, John also worked steadily and persistently to improve the condition of local roads. He was frustrated by the cycle of simply patching potholes rather than properly maintaining roads to prevent deterioration in the first place. Through determined lobbying and partnership working, he succeeded in securing funding for major maintenance work on a number of important roads in Haslemere.

John cared deeply about supporting the most vulnerable in society. He understood the importance of social and affordable housing and was a long-standing advocate for ensuring that local people could continue to live in the communities they loved. He was also passionate about tackling climate change and recognised the responsibility to protect the environment for future generations.

In April 2021, John was appointed Mayor of Waverley — a hugely popular and well-deserved choice that reflected the warmth and respect in which he was held by colleagues across political parties. Indeed, John was a firm believer in working constructively across party lines for the good of both the town and the borough. 

Beyond politics, John gave enormously to community life. He volunteered tirelessly, served as President of Rotary, represented Waverley on Sport Haslemere and sat on the Surrey Police and Crime Panel. Away from council meetings and community events, he enjoyed gardening, photography and walking — although many will also remember that John was never far from a conversation about the latest fortunes, or misfortunes, of his beloved Woking F.C., which he supported with unwavering loyalty.

Above all, John was a kind, decent and thoughtful man whose politics were rooted in service, community and fairness. He believed strongly in listening to people and ensuring their voices were heard. His warmth, humour and generosity made him not only an exceptional councillor, but also a treasured friend and colleague to many within the Liberal Democrats and beyond.

Our thoughts are with his wife, fellow Haslemere Liberal Democrat councillor Jacquie Keen, and with all of John’s family and friends at this very difficult time.

John’s contribution to Haslemere, Waverley and Surrey was immense, and his legacy will endure in the many lives he touched and the communities he worked so hard to strengthen.