Charles Roy HEARD
February 13, 1928 – March 1, 2016
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Charles Roy Heard, loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Roy, as he was known by friends and family, passed away peacefully at his home in Parksville on Tuesday, March 1, 2016.
Roy was born in London, England on February 13, 1928. He volunteered for service in the Royal Navy at the age of 16, immigrating to Rhodesia after leaving the Service in 1947. Schooled during the war, Roy was largely self taught and became very well read.
He was very tall and was affectionately known as “Lofty” or the “gentle giant”. Roy married his beloved wife Jeanne and together they raised a family in Salisbury, Rhodesia where he worked as an accountant. In 1989, they immigrated to the beautiful Western Cape, South Africa where they were living close to family. In 2004, they moved to Canada to be close to one of their sons. Both of their other sons had immigrated to England.
Roy was a man of great courage which reflected in his determined approach to maintaining his health and getting well in his final weeks and days. In addition to his service in the Royal Navy, he also proudly served in The Royal Rhodesia Regiment and was a long term Reservist in the British South Africa Police.
He attended the Presbyterian Church in Parksville and was a key member of the Men’s Club, where he served as Treasurer for several years. He had a great sense of humour, was an avid reader, and a deep thinker. A short biography does not do justice to his great life! Roy enjoyed the English language. He developed many close and lasting friendships over his lifetime, and enjoyed his time in Canada with much travel and engagement with life. Roy played cricket as a young man and continued to watch the sport long after his playing days ended. He also loved swimming and water polo.
Roy is survived by his wife of 61 years, Jeanne; his sons and their wives Alastair Roy (Erin), Neil Michael (Roslyn,) and Stephen John (Linda); grandchildren, Zoe, Louise, Amber, William, and Savannah; and great grandson Elliot. He was pre-deceased by his younger brother, John Paul in 2004; father in 1965; and mother in 1987. He will be sadly missed and well remembered by his vast circle of family and friends.
Grateful thanks are extended to Dr. Thor Fridrikkson and to the VIHA Home Care team for the compassionate care and gentle kindness they provided to Roy during his extended illness.
A Service of Thanksgiving for his life will be held at 2:30 pm on
Thursday, March the 10th at St. Columba’s Presbyterian Church,
921 Wembley Road in Parksville.
To send a condolence to the family please visit www.yatesfuneral.ca
YATES FUNERAL SERVICE & CREMATORIUM
(250-248-5859) in care of arrangements.