Robert Francis Roney

Inquisitive, thoughtful, and always eager to engage in meaningful conversation, Robert

Francis Roney was a magnet for family and friends. A keen listener with a creative mind

and adventurous spirit, Bob created community wherever he went.

Born in Detroit, MI in 1933, Bob was the youngest of 8 children. He often told stories of

their bustling home in the Indian Village neighborhood—where he learned the value of

frugality, resilience, curiosity, and productivity—and where he met the girl who would

later become his wife, Sheila Galvin. Industrious from an early age, Bob started a

neighborhood Christmas wreath business that he continued throughout his college

years. When looking back on these years, Bob spoke of the relationships, lessons, and

observations that informed his views about social justice in society and the Church.

Bob graduated from University of Detroit High School in 1951 and from the University of

Notre Dame in 1957 with degrees in Architecture and Fine Arts. Deeply spiritual his

entire life, Bob credited Father Ted Hesburgh, whom he met at Notre Dame, as a major

influence on how he would serve the world. In the summer of 1957 Bob joined the

Paulist Fathers as a novitiate but left after several months. He then completed service in

the US Army, continued developing his drawing and painting skills while working as a

draftsman, and studied for the state architectural board exam. This circuitous path led

Bob and Sheila to a life together of intentional spirituality and building community. They

married in the spring of 1960 at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church.

Bob and Sheila raised 5 children at their home in Grosse Pointe Shores, where Bob

cultivated a love for music, theatre, and art with his family. During this time, the Roney

household became a hub for social gatherings, from building Homecoming floats to

hosting rallies for social justice issues to holding religious ceremonies and celebrations.

Following Sheila’s untimely death in 1987, Bob stayed in the family home and continued

his work as an accomplished architect.

In 2004 he married Dorothy Tibbits and embraced her two adult children and extended

family, including nine grandchildren, as his own. With Dorothy, Bob continued to have

an open door to family and friends, and they shared an active and ongoing dialogue

around social issues, books, and community. They took great joy in their grandchildren

and loved celebrating and spending time together with them.

Bob’s happiest moments were spent in nature—tending to orchids, working in his yard,

observing the migratory paths of birds across the continent, and leading groups of

birdwatchers on Anna Maria Island, FL where he spent many happy winters. For over

20 years he sailed his Cal 34 sloop with family and friends on Lake St. Clair and

achieved his goal of circumnavigating all five Great Lakes. Bob was also a talented

artist (sketch, oils, and watercolors). He had a passion for making pecan rolls, playing

the ukulele, stargazing, sharing stories of his life, or listening to others.

Following Dorothy’s death in early 2020, Bob continued splitting his time between

Grosse Pointe and Anna Maria—returning from Anna Maria for the last time in May

2021. Not long after, his health declined rapidly and, on September 27, 2021, Bob

passed away peacefully at his home of 61 years. His hunger for learning will live on as

his legacy—as will his fierce independence to live life on his own terms.

Bob was preceded in death by his wives Sheila Galvin Roney and Dorothy Tibbits

Roney; parents Edward and Rosemary Trombly Roney; and siblings Edward, David,

Thomas, Marianne, and Virginia. He is survived by his sisters Peggy (Jim) Byrne and

Rosemary (“Oney”) Roney; children Deirdre (John) Roney Cadarette, Robert (Deb)

Roney, Jr., Michelle (Glen) Roney Janssens, Colleen (George) Roney Apostolides, and

Christopher (Stacy) Roney; stepchildren Libby (Randy) Strand and Harry Gemuend III;

Dan (Susan) Gemuend and Tammy (Jim) LaProd; and 18 grandchildren.

A memorial celebration Mass will be held on Friday November 12, 2021 at 11:30 at St.

Lucy Catholic Church on 23401 Jefferson Ave, St Clair Shores, MI. In lieu of flowers,

please consider a donation to either the Sarasota Institute for Lifetime Learning or

the Phyllis Haehnle Audubon Sanctuary.