Roy John Karjala

July 25th, 1930-February 25th, 2023

Dr. Roy John Karjala—beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, physician, mentor, and colleague, left this world on February 25th, 2023 at the age of 92 after living a full and meaningful life.

Born July 25th, 1930, in Alert Bay, BC, adjacent to the Finnish fishing community of Sointula, BC to a young fisherman, Andy Karjala and his first wife, Annie, Roy was the second of four children (Raymond, Lorraine, Irene). After the birth of her children, Annie fell terminally ill and was hospitalized. As a result, Andy needed to place his four young children in foster care in Richmond, BC, since his work in fishing, mining, and forestry, was seasonal and transitory. Roy started school speaking only Finnish but was a quick study and very soon was speaking English and mastering his studies. A very committed and smart student, Roy skipped a grade and graduated from Richmond High School with top marks at 16 years of age. Following high school Roy began fishing with Andy every summer, ostensibly to fund his education at the University of British Columbia, but secretly, Roy was hopeful that his dad would forget about insisting he get an education as he loved fishing and loved being on the ocean. Notwithstanding, Roy graduated with his MD from UBC.

Along the way, Roy met (Daphne) Joy Wylie and they married in 1954. Roy and Joy travelled to Detroit so that Roy could continue his medical studies. First son Davin and first daughter Shauna were both born there. After spending a short time as a family doctor in Lillooet, BC, Roy continued his education and completed research in internal medicine and oncology in Houston, Texas. Roy and Joy’s second son, Damon, was born. Completing the requirements for his internal medicine specialization and being awarded the FRCP(C) (Fellow of the Royal College of Physicians (Canada) distinction, the Karjala family was ready to return to Canada. The family settled in Richmond and daughter Charise was born in 1965.

As a young dad Roy was very involved in the lives of his children, teaching many life lessons through role modelling hard work, integrity, and compassion. Roy shared his love of the ocean, scuba-diving, boating, fishing, travel, and exploring the outdoors with his family. A shared and beloved family project over the years was building, extending, and expanding the family cabin at Pavilion Lake BC, a gathering place the family has owned and enjoyed together since 1964. As the years went by Roy’s father Andy remarried and had four more daughters (Sharon, Andrea, Joanne, Sandra). Roy’s children married, several grandchildren came, and then Joy, his wife of 40 years, passed in 1996. Roy took a temporary break from practicing medicine to ensure that he could support Joy in dying with dignity at home.

After Joy’s death Roy decided to take up ballroom dancing! He invited Penny Haines to a special Arthur Murray dance event and thus begun a wonderful new chapter in both of their lives. The two bonded over their love of family and of dancing and travel. Roy and Penny married in 1998 and shared a beautiful relationship of over 25 years filled with love, family gatherings, travel, ballroom dancing, fishing, music, frequent trips to the Pavilion cabin, and wonderful and deep friendships. Penny and Roy’s marriage brought together a larger family to embrace. Penny’s children Samantha (husband Ping) and David (wife Rie) and the whole extended Shearer tribe from Penny’s side were embraced by the Karjala side. More grandchildren were born! Roy and Penny decided to build a new house together in Richmond to accommodate the growing clan’s gatherings and celebrations which were many and legion. Although one of Roy’s favourite sayings was, “Grandchildren are the crab-grass in the lawn of life” he was a Champion Gold Medal grandfather to them all. They were introduced to the Symphony and the joy of the Finnish Sauna. They learned how to drive a boat, tie knots, start bonfires, gut a trout, shoot a rifle, play crib, ski, love birds and wildflowers. Roy loved to attend their presentations, performances, and celebrations. He was immensely proud of them all: Jamie, Kallista (Chris), Gabrielle, Katie; Joel (Stephanie), Matt (Tiffany); Adam, Spencer (Shannon); Tomas (Curtis); Andrew, Nolan (Shauni); Saige (Zac); Julian (Beatrix), Jacob (Sarah) and Jayda! Roy had so much love for and pride in each of his grandchildren and he will be forever missed.

Roy—Dr. Karjala or Doc or Dr. K.—served thousands of patients over his career as a diagnostician and internist at Richmond Hospital, St. Paul's Hospital, and Vancouver General. He continued to practice medicine until well into his 70s and was beloved by patients and work colleagues alike for his incredible work ethic, compassion, positive outlook, and sense of humour. His ‘Roy-isms’ are legion, everyone who knew him can quote pithy sayings that he used to add levity, describe the situation perfectly, or make a point.

Penny and Roy’s family are forever grateful to Sunrise Senior living in Vancouver for the care, devotion, and love Roy received while in their care over the past three years. The whole Sunrise team of care-providers and administrators showed incredible love, respect, and kindness throughout Roy’s time with them. Staff and administrators went beyond embracing Roy, truly including Penny in their care over the past few months.

All who knew Dr. Roy Karjala know that his truly was a life well lived. The Ralph Waldo Emerson quote aptly describes Roy’s life, “To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.” Well, Roy, you succeeded thousands of times over.

Roy’s beloved Penny and family will be hosting a Celebration of Life later this spring. The planning is underway to gather friends, colleagues, and family, to honour this man who truly succeeded in every measure of a life well lived. If you are so moved, consider supporting Pathways Clubhouse with a donation commemorating Dr. Roy Karjala.