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Roy passed away peacefully, holding his beloved wife’s hand in the early morning of March 9th. Roy is survived by his wife of 44 years, Joan, his son Andrew (Erin), daughter Margaret (Roy) Snow; grandchildren, Evelynn, Eric and Kayleigh; and his brother Jim (Greenock, Scotland). He also leaves behind his faithful companion Morton, his Cairn terrier.

Born in Greenock, Scotland, Roy was the middle son of five brothers. Living so close to the River Clyde, Roy began his career as a millwright at the local shipyard. In his early years, Roy was a proud member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders stationed in Europe as a peacekeeper. He moved to Canada in 1961 where he met and married the love of his life, Joan. He had a career won through hard work as an Engineer at Dofasco for 27 years. Ultimately in 1996, he achieved his goal of becoming President and C.E.O. of a mechanical engineering firm. In 2001 he fulfilled his dream of living on Vancouver Island, settling in Parksville to enjoy his retirement. Roy developed many outstanding friendships through his membership at the Royal Canadian Legion, the Masonic Lodge, the Burns Club, and the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club.

Roy lived life to the fullest, living with an exuberance that will be truly missed. Roy was an entertainer through to his final days. His humour, cheekiness and zest for life was infectious and warmed any room that he was in. His gregarious spirit made him the life of the party. Any activity he undertook, he did with passion whether it is raising a family, working, lawn bowling or fishing.

So, in true “Roy” fashion, a Celebration of Life will be held at the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club at a later date to spin a yarn, share a song, and have a laugh with a wee dram.

The family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital for their outstanding care and unbelievable compassion.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the British Columbia Lung Association. 2675 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, V6H 2K2 or the NRGH Palliative Care Unit.

YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM (250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.



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