Donald R. Roy

Donald R. Roy, 76, of Keene passed away on September 17, 2023, at home peacefully. His parents, Raymond Donald and Marjorie (Rummril) Roy welcomed their son into this world on July 21, 1947. Don was born in Keene but grew up in Sullivan, NH.

Donald Roy was a man that would give you the shirt off his back. Most of us knew him as Donnie, Don, Mouse, and as my mother used to call him, Rick or Rickie.

Don won countless trophies for arm wrestling. He also played softball, mud football, golf, pool and darts.

Don leaves behind a legacy of the most beautiful custom homes that will still be here long after we are gone. Don was a hard man to work for, as he was a perfectionist when it came to his work. He would say do it right the first time and take pride in your work. Don was very proud of his son Daniel Roy of Surry, NH, who grew up working side by side with him every day, and some days weren’t easy. Don would tell people his son is a great carpenter and a better finish man than he was.

After he retired, he loved watching and trying to help Danny whenever he could. When my parents moved into Page Homestead, they made some new friends that became more like family. They all looked out for each other, and my dad became the man that could get the job done. He loved it, as he had a hard time after he had to retire because, as he put it, his body was broken. We would like to send our love and appreciation to you all for being there for them both.

Don worked hard his whole life, trying to give his wife Linda L. Roy, his children, and grandchildren, a better life than he had growing up. Sadly, he and our mother had to endure the loss of their oldest daughter Samantha Ann (Roy) Ward on September 1, 1996, from cancer. This was a hardship that no parent should have to endure.

Our father taught us the value of family and how to take care of each other, how to work hard, and to be proud of what you accomplish. He always said, “you can do whatever you want as long as you put your mind to it”. He was always there when you needed him. On more occasions than I can remember he would pay for car repairs without telling you. So, as we got older, we did the same tricks to him, against his wishes, as he was a very proud man. He was proud of all of us. We worked hard and overcame a lot as he did. Role model doesn’t even capture how much we loved and admired this man that we called dad and grandpa.

He will be missed dearly by his daughter Melinda M. Russo and her husband Steven Russo of Keene, his son Daniel R. Roy and fiancé Jennifer Shepardson of Surry, his grandchildren Ashley L. Perham and her fiancé Sebastijan Slavic of Keene, his granddaughter Felicia A. Leno and her daughter Avery Leno of Keene, and his grandson Timothy Ward of Keene.

Final burial plans will be at the privacy of the family.

For those who wish, donations may be made in Mr. Roy’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.