EDWIN ROY MCKERCHAR ESSERY

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EDWIN ROY MCKERCHAR ESSERY January 7, 1923 - April 15, 2010 Roy Essery passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 15, 2010 in Calgary, Alberta. He was born January 7, 1923 at his McKerchar grandparents' home in Strathclair, Manitoba. Roy lived and worked in Winnipeg for the greater part of his life. He served in the Royal Canadian Navy in Canada and Europe for four years during the Second World War. Roy first met Edith McDowell prior to his deployment overseas; they were married June 1, 1946 in Winnipeg. His business career started as an articling accounting student at George A. Touche. He was admitted as a Chartered Accountant in February 1947. In 1958, he became President and General Manager of Brooks Equipment Limited; President, General Manager and owner of Cummins Diesel Sales and Service Limited, both of Winnipeg. He was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba May 16, 1973. He retired from his active business life in April 1979. Roy believed in giving back to the community; he was an active volunteer who served as Treasurer and Board member, Society for Crippled Children and Adults; President of the United Way of Winnipeg; President and Governor of Winnipeg Winter Club; Treasurer, Kinsmen Club of Winnipeg; founding member of Silver Heights United Church; Chairman of General Board of St. Andrew's River Heights United Church and Chairman of Finance; Treasurer of the Christ Moravian Church; Trustee of Last Post Fund (for Veterans); Director and Treasurer of Manitoba Chartered Accountants Foundation Inc.; and Trustee of Chartered Accountants of Manitoba Benevolent Association. Roy also lectured at the University of Manitoba 1952-1959. He had a passion for genealogy and spending time with the family at the cabin at Caddy Lake in Manitoba. Roy is survived by his wife Edith, his sister Ruth of Victoria, his daughters Elizabeth of Houston and Alison (Ken) of Calgary; sons Cam (Michela) of Penticton and Stuart (Mary Lou) of Southern California; four grandchildren, Erin and James of Winnipeg, Ryan and Carolyn of Calgary. A Celebration of Roy's Life will be held at Christ Moravian Church (600 Acadia Drive S.E., Calgary) on Saturday, May 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. In living memory of Roy Essery, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W., Calgary Telephone: 1 (403) 243-8200.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on May 03, 2010