‘Everyone knows Ross’: Orono Co-op raises thousands for injured long-time employee

Orono is a small community where just about everyone knows one another. So when one of their own was injured last month in a farming accident, the community came together to help in any way they could. The Durham Farmers’ County Co-op in Orono, in particular, has helped raise thousands for Ross Robinson.

There isn’t much that can keep him away. Ross Robinson has worked at Durham Farmers’ County Co-op for almost 50 years. These days, he visits about twice a week, walks around, chats with the guys and takes his usual seat.

“It’s hard sitting around, I’d rather be working,” said Robinson, who was injured in a tractor rollover.

The 67-year-old is recovering after spending two weeks in a Toronto hospital. Robinson suffered two broken vertebrae in his neck and lost parts of two fingers.

“I was taking a load of hay to a customer, selling some hay to a horse farmer and had three wagons behind the tractor and went down a hill,” Robinson said. “The load was too heavy for the tractor and started pushing to go faster and faster and the tractor went sideways into the ditch.”

“It’s been hard, but I got a lot of faith and a lot of praying and he’s going to make it,” said Pat Robinson, Ross’s wife. “He’s a strong willed person, very stubborn.”

After Robinson’s accident a few of his co-workers wanted to do something for him — an initiative that started with a donation jar.

“Everybody knows Ross,” said Marny Thertell-Barrie, Durham Farmers’ County Co-op employee. “We thought maybe if we raised a couple thousand for him that would be wonderful, it would help him out a lot but it’s gone way beyond that.”

The support he’s received has been overwhelming and unexpected, he said, adding that he can’t thank everyone enough.

“It’s great, I love it. You know you got friends,” said Robinson.

“It’s been amazing to know how much people rally together in a crisis,” Pat Robinson added.

This fall will mark 50 years that Robinson has worked at Durham Farmers’ County Co-op. While there’s no date set for when he will be returning to work, he says he will be coming back.

“No, no. Never going to retire. I’ll be dead before I retire,” said Robinson.