Ronald A. Roy, 75.
It is with our deepest sorrow to announce Ronald A. Roy, born May 29, 1949, who resided in sunny North Port FL, greeted the sunset of his life on October 21, 2024. Ronald was born into a large and closely knit family in St. Basile, New Brunswick, Canada.
Ronald was 13 when his family emigrated from Canada to the US, settling in Lawrence, Massachusetts. He attended Sacred Heart Church, a largely French-Canadian parish in Lawrence. He attended Lawrence High School and was captain of the Lawrence High hockey team that went on to win the state championship. Well into his adulthood, Ron could skate absolute rings around younger men, as his daughters proudly remember.
Ronald won the heart of North Andover girl, Nancy C. Osgood. They married in 1971 and had three children: Patricia Roy, of Newton, MA, Robert (deceased), and Michelle Rowden, of Chester, NH. Throughout their family life they resided in Lawrence and North Andover Massachusetts. In retirement, Ron and Nancy lived in Sandown, NH and North Port, FL. In 1969, Ronald joined the U.S. Navy in service to his country during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Horne and the Julius A Furer. Following his military service, Ron applied skills learned during his naval experience to a career in turbine and power plant engineering. He retired from Pfizer in Andover, MA where he served as power plant chief.
He loved his extended family and never turned down an opportunity to get together. Quieter than some, Ron still excelled at making guests feel welcomed and entertained. Ron had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh. He took pride and pleasure in raising his children and grandchildren. Even though he took his role as dad quite seriously, Mr. Roy was one of the “fun dads,” according to many neighborhood kids, cousins, and his daughters’ friends from youth through adulthood. Ronald enjoyed traveling with Nancy to Hawaii, Mexico, Ireland, and many other ports of call. His favorite destination remained the tiny town of his birth, St. Basile, to visit his parents and extended family in Canada.
Ronald leaves behind his Loving wife Nancy and daughters Patricia Roy and Michelle Rowden(Husband Jay), grandchildren Jackson Rowden and Caroline Rowden, brothers Bertin of Methuen, MA, Roland (and wife Denise) of Marston Mills, MA, sisters Diane Sirois of Methuen, MA and Nicole Medlock (husband Brian) of Washington, Vermont, and his extended family of so many cousins, nephews and nieces.
He is predeceased by his son Robert Roy, his brother Maurice Roy and sister Terese Beaulieu and his parents Rene and Carmen Roy.
Ronald was deeply proud of his children and grandchildren and thought they were the smartest kids around, always ready to raise a glass “to Jack and Caroline.” Ronald’s passing may fill us with sadness at this moment, but we know that his life will always be remembered and loved in our hearts and stories always.
Services will be announced at a later date. Donations in his memory can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association at lbda.org or a charity of one’s choice.
Friends may visit online at www.robersonfh.com to extend condolences to the family. Arrangements by Roberson Funeral Home & Crematory Port Charlotte Chapel.