Donald Roy

Born in Atholville, NB on February 21, 1941, Son of the late Delphis Roy and the late Georgina Salesse.

Don began his work career with Fraser Inc in 1961 and continued with their transition to AV Cell until his retirement in 2003 as an industrial electrician.

Don lived in Atholville all his life, eventually building his home and raising his family there. He was a devoted and loving husband and father, his family always being most important. Mary and Don met when they were 16 and 18 and have been together ever since. The torrential downpour on their wedding day as well as the numerous mishaps on that same day in 1965 seems to have been the spark that led them to an exemplary 56 years of marriage.

Don loved planning little surprises and was always thinking of others. In their younger years, he often surprised Tommy and Jane with toys or treats calling them “Shazams”, the magic of which will never be forgotten.

An avid sportsman and hunter, Don helped cofound the Restigouche Archery club where he acted as a president, a coach and a judge to influence young archers in the community.

Upon meeting Don, one could expect to be asked “Do you do any hunting?” His love of hunting and the outdoors has resulted in many close and long -lasting friendships. Don was always available to help others, he could figure out a way to “MacGyver” just about anything and was often called upon to do so. He looked forward to family gatherings, always inviting friends and welcoming everyone who came from near and far. Don could often be found at the kitchen table with a mug of coffee or cup of tea. Countless good meals and conversations were had around Mary and Don’s table as they hosted many friends and family over the years.

He is survived by his wife, Mary (Graham) Roy, his son Thomas Roy (Erica), his daughter Jane Girard (Glen) and grandchildren Emma, Abby, Mya and Ava. He is also survived by his two sisters Irene Landry (Rodolphe-deceased) and Claudette Rousselle (Bert). Don was a loving uncle to many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by brothers Roland, Rheal and Peter. He will be dearly missed by his sisters in law Marguerite, Eleanor, Judy, Byrna, Lorna and Ruthie.

A funeral service will be held at Maher's Funeral Chapel, 64 Lansdowne St., Campbellton on Friday March 11, 2022 at 2:00 pm, with visitation in the Chapel from 1pm until funeral time.

We would like to thank the nursing staff and Dr. Khatib of the Campbellton Regional Hospital for their kindness and compassion in caring for Don during his final days.

For those who wish, donations can be made to a charity of their choice in his memory.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted in the care of Maher’s Funeral Home, Campbellton.

(506)789-1699 or toll free (855) 404-1699 email: maher.fh@nb.aibn.com

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Our life, just like the seasons of the year, is a long journey during which we have been granted time to search for and find true happiness. Today, we pray to you Lord and we give thanks for all our blessings and for those you have bestowed on our brother Don... who has gone to his eternal reward.

For the springs through which Don has lived, for is youthful years, for the projects he has dreamed about and fulfilled, blessed are you Lord.

For the summers Don has experienced, for his years of labor and self sacrifice when he has offered his time, his energy and his affection to others, blessed are you Lord.

For the autumns of his life, when Don has gathered the fruits of his labor, for the happiness he has enjoyed with his friends, his children and his grandchildren, blessed are you Lord.

For the winters of Don's life, for his period of losses and trials, when another one of life's seasons was being mysteriously prepared for him, blessed are you Lord.

For the fifth season in which Don has entered, a rich and peaceful season, found outside of the realm of time and space, a season where you are the foundation of a new life, blessed are you Lord.

God of all life's seasons, day after day, year after year, our life is in your hands. Every one of us is a "sacred story" marked by your presence in our lives. We ask you to grant Don the joy of eternal life in Christ Jesus, our light and our hope.

Amen

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Eulogy by Ken Murray

March 11, 2022

A great friend, I am honored to have been requested by his family to offer all of our collective remembrances and tributes for his friendship and loyalty. Today your presence shows a remarkable gathering of family, in-laws, outlaws, friends and co-workers to honor his being. Also, not everyone could be here today but the volume of messages received by Mary, Tommy and Jane speaks very loudly about this man who has touched many lives.

Friendship is an asset much like money, you place it in a safe and trustworthy entity and it grows over time but you must reinvest and keep aware of its course and stay connected to verify this investment. Don and Mary Roy have made many large and solid investments in friendship and many of you can speak directly to that.

Family has always been foremost in Don's life, he adored Mary and he spoke often of the great gifts of life through Tommy & Jane; to add to these special gifts were his grandchildren, Emma, Abigail, Ava & Mya of whom he was so proud of.

If you know Don Roy, you know he was a very avid hunter, fisherman and in the later years a trapper. He loved the challenge of hunting, he would plan all year for the next season. Now, what kind of man would depart his hunting partners in the woods and return home for a few hours to bring his wife, Mary, flowers on their wedding anniversary? Don Roy did this every year.

Mary and Don welcomed the friends of Tommy and Jane to their household as though they were their children. Likewise, they welcomed family and friends at any time. Now Don Roy could not swim. I can attest that he could not even float. Again, what kind of man would install a 12x40 ft. swimming pool in his yard for his wife, children and their friends if he could not use it? Don Roy did it because he cared for all his family and friends. The Miller-Brae Park in front of Don and Mary's house would have been residential property had Don Roy not intervened and convinced influential powers and this land would then become a park for children and not private use. Many of Don's nieces and nephews refer to this park as "uncle Don's park"

Don had a varied work life, in his early days he was a school teacher, a bible salesman, a meat cutter, a top quality taxidermist, a roofer, an industrial lab tech and he finished his career at Atholville Mill as an electrician. Don could McGyver anything, he made a motorized plucker from various items to take the feathers off the ducks he hunted. He saw things from a mechanical perspective and could visualize an unintended use for common items and he made he made them work. However he was a romantic at heart and he always remembered birthdays and holidays with cards and flowers for Mary. Don would have been a great diplomat-he would put together deals which would involve a minimum of three parties and everyone came out with something they wanted through trade or barter.

Don was very proud to have been a member of the Atholville High School Volleyball Team which won a provincial championship during his high school days. He was a Founder and developer of the Restigouche Archery Club and his sport is enjoyed by many today. Don Roy, the avid fisherman, initiated the concept of "hook and release" the province took this concept to a province wide level... the point of release in their program is much different than Don's was...

There are many other Don stories but let me say that if anyone called him in need of a piece of pipe, a valve, a tool or anything, Don would somehow find something to help you out, that's the kind of man he was. Many will have heard Don say "young fella" when he was trying to make a point or understand what you were telling him. His two loyal friends, Dave Andrew and Randy Roy will know exactly what I mean. Don's many friends can speak to his loyalty, his support and his willingness to help in any way. "As good as it gets" was one of his favorite expressions.

Don always said when we did work together "young fella in another lifetime we could do it better but it's good enough for now..."

Adieu, my friend and we will perfect things in the next lifetime.

-Ken Murray