Our beloved friend, brother and neighbor Theodore “Ted” Robinson passed away peacefully Dec. 2, 2025 after a short illness. Ted, owned and operated Ted’s Supper Club where he served his renowned food and expressed his culinary talents and artistry to beloved patrons on St. John for over 15 years.
Ted was the second child of John and Peggy Robinson and is survived by his three siblings John J. Robinson Jr, Marguerite “Meg” McDonough and Matthew Robinson; his four nephews Cullen Robinson, Shane Robinson, Sean McDonough and Patrick Robinson and his niece and goddaughter, Marguerite Mae Robinson; and his St. John family Kim Lyons, Savannah Lyons Anthony, Maria Wesselhoft, Brenda Sonson-Stephenson, Mary Ferguson, and his best girl Juno.
Born in Philadelphia, PA on March 7, 1962, Ted attended St. Katherine of Sienna Elementary school where he was a star basketball player and graduated from Wilson High School in 1980. In his late teenage years, Ted found his life’s calling, cooking. He often cited his grandmother’s dedication in the kitchen as his earliest inspiration. Though he was an incredible chef and trained culinary artist, Ted was firm in calling himself a “cook.” He enjoyed working hard, making people happy and the artistic freedom he found in the kitchen.
Ted attended and graduated from the Culinary Institute of American in Hyde Park, New York, which led to a beautiful career that spanned 40 years and took him across the country and back. His passion for food and adventure led him from New York to Michigan, Nevada, Northern California, Rehoboth Beach and the Florida Keys before making his home on St. John in the late 90’s. There, Ted built a beautiful home in Fish Bay where he gardened, cooked, hosted many a guest and party; creating a beautiful island life for almost 30 years.
Ted’s unwavering commitment to his craft, his kindness to his neighbors and his warm, generous smile impacted many people during his time on St. John. Whether it was a family meal at Paradiso, dinner service at Tage, or any of the many weddings or private dinners he made memorable, Ted treated every meal as if he were cooking for a friend and encouraged everyone around him to care for one another in the same way.
Those who knew him will miss him for his love, laughter and the ways he cared for us. Ted, we thank you and we love you.
Ted is preceded in death by his parents John and Peggy, dogs Meritage and Bailey, and many other furry friends too numerous to mention
A celebration of Ted’s life will be held at Oppenheimer Beach on St. John, Feb. 7 at 11 a.m. We will further celebrate him in a private ceremony in Philadelphia on March 7.
In lieu of flowers we ask that donations be sent to the St. John Animal Care Center, in memory of Ted. www.stjohnanimalcarecenter.com.
