PHILIPPE JOSEPH ROY

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PHILIPPE JOSEPH ROY Philippe Roy passed away peacefully on January 1, 2009 at 87 years of age surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness at the hospital in St. Pierre-Jolys. A loving husband, father and grandfather, Philippe leaves to mourn his wife of 55 years and devoted caregiver Alice (Robidoux), his children Marc (Ginette), Suzanne (Jean-Paul), Jean-Pierre (Mandy), Luc (Andrea) and Daniel, his grandchildren Mathieu, Jordan, Miranda, Alex, Michelle, and Jean-Luc. He also leaves his sister Rita (Albert) Marquis, special cousin Br. Léon Ménard, aunts Alice Guichon, Annette Lacroix and Bernadette Ruest, in-laws Diane (Roger dec.) Roy, the Robidoux: Lionel and Denise, Omer and Edith, Jos and Marcelle, Aline (Edouard dec.), René and Hélène, Fernand and Noella, Madeleine and Otto Kirzinger, Jeanne and Gérard Therrien, Monique and David Ting, and many other relatives and friends. He was predeceased by his mother Hélène (Arcand) in 1934, father Prosper in 1949 and his siblings Raymond, Gérard, Olive and Roger. Philippe was born in Dollard, Saskatchewan in 1921. A child of the Depression, he came to St. Pierre as a penniless teenager on a freight car to rejoin his family and to build a new life. A proud Second World War veteran, he enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1940, serving with the North Atlantic Squadron and overseas with Regiment 408 as a radio operator on the Lancaster bombers. Following the war Philippe returned to St. Pierre and founded Roy Brothers with his brother and father. He became postmaster of the St. Pierre Post Office in 1962. Sharp of wit and mind with an avid curiosity about the world, Philippe loved family, friends, nature, his Church and parish, and was dedicated to community service. He was a life-time blood donor, a 50 year member of the church choir, a Scouts leader, a founding member of the volunteer groups that worked to establish the St. Pierre Rec. Center, the Manoir and the Repos Jolys. He was an avid gardener, tree planter, reader, stamp-collector, golfer, curler, handy-man, Knights of Columbus, Toastmaster and more. In his retirement, he developed a talent for wood-carving and spent many happy years in his workshop. He was a great husband, father and grand-father who gave us a legacy of countless stories and strong values. The family sincerely thanks our friends, neighbours and relatives who provided precious support in recent years. Special heart-felt thanks go to Dr. Shenouda and the staff at the hospital in St. Pierre-Jolys who surrounded him with loving care during his last six months. If desired, in lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the De Salaberry District Health Foundation, C.P. 320, St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba ROA 1VO. Funeral mass will be held on January 6, 2009 at 2:00 p.m., at the St. Pierre-Jolys Roman Catholic Church. PHILIPPE JOSEPH ROY Philippe Roy est décédé paisiblement le 1er janvier 2009 entouré de sa famille après une longue maladie à l'hôpital de St. Pierre-Jolys à l'âge de 87 ans. Philippe était un homme vif d'esprit, profondément chrétien, dévoué à sa famille, ses amis et sa paroisse qui s'est donné corps et âme au service de sa communauté. C'était un mari, un papa et un grand-papa exemplaire qui nous a transmis de bonnes valeurs dont le respect de l'individu et l'amour de la nature. Habile raconteur, il nous a également légué maintes histoires illustrant son cheminement et ses principes. Les funérailles auront lieu à l'église de Saint Pierre-Jolys le 6 janvier 2009 à 14h. Au lieu des fleurs, un don commémoratif peut être fait à la Fondation Centre Médico Social De Salaberry C.P. 320, St-Pierre-Jolys, Manitoba ROA 1VO. Mon enfant, je t'aime et je ne saurais t'abandonner LECLAIRE BROTHERS in care of arrangements, 775-2220.

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As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jan 05, 2009