William "Doug" Douglas Roy

With deep sadness, we announce that Doug, age 48, passed away peacefully at Hospice Halifax on September 19, 2022, with his family and close friends at his side. Doug is survived by the love of his life and best friend, his wife of 24 years, Rebecca DeCoste (Becky), beloved children Patrick and Megan Roy and Olivia Clement; parents William and Patricia Roy; siblings, Dianne (Ron) Douglas, Carolyn (Eric) Dupéré, David (Laura) Roy; nieces and nephews Blair, Jennifer (Cameron), Emily, Liam, James, Allister and Jessica; along with many cousins and extended family.

Born on January 16, 1974, Doug was the youngest of the family. He grew up in the community of Bedford, making many life-long friends including Ryan, Josh, Eric and Chris. Doug spent many summers at the Bedford Yacht Club where he sailed and worked as a tender operator.

After high school he studied at Dalhousie, graduating with a Bachelor of Mining Engineering in 1997, followed by a Masters of Applied Science in Geostatistical Resource Estimation in 2000. He traveled to many far-flung destinations during his career with Minetech, including Ghana and Kazakhstan, working with his close friend Patrick Hannon. Doug was the director of The Mining Association of Nova Scotia between 2005 and 2011.

Doug met Becky during Frosh Week when they were 18, and the two were inseparable for the next 30 years. They married in 1998 and went on a cross-Canada road trip adventure for their honeymoon. They bought their home in 2002 in Fleming Heights and made many wonderful friends in the neighbourhood and through the schools of Olivia, Patrick and Megan. Their house became a regular gathering place for their wide community, including other close university friends like Gail, Tash and Daniel.

Becky, Megan and Paddy want Doug to be remembered for his brilliant smile and happy, easy-going nature. He was always the first to jump in the ocean, could often be found in the woods, rock hunting in his plaid shirt, or just whistling in the kitchen cooking and baking comfort food for his family. He was a craft beer enthusiast and, coincidentally, his close friends Geir and Gord both happened to own pubs—this worked out very well. He was an avid home brewer, growing his own hops, entering brewing competitions, and sharing the hobby with friends such as Max. He was always up for an adventure, and even during the last three years, as he battled brain cancer and its many complications, Doug was always ready to go boating, ride his ATV with friends, or laugh over a beer at the pub. He never gave up and he never complained.

A special thank you to the caring staff and volunteers at Hospice Halifax who made Doug’s stay as peaceful as possible for him, his family and friends. Another thank you to everyone who helped Doug along his journey with brain cancer, including Dr. Adrienne Weeks, Dr. Mary MacNeil, and all the doctors and nurses at the QEII involved in his care. And a very special thank you to his personal medical dream team and great friends, Dr. Min Lee and Dr. Janet MacIntyre.

A service will be held at Bethany United Church, 7171 Clinton Avenue, Halifax, on Thursday, September 29th at 4 P.M. A celebration of life will follow at Stubborn Goat Gastropub starting at 6 P.M.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Doug Roy to Hospice Halifax online or by phone at (902) 446-0929.