Roy passed away peacefully in his home April 26th, 2021, surrounded by love and family. Predeceased by his dear wife Elva, his parents Doris and Willem and his elder sister Doris. He will be missed by his West Van community of friends and neighbours and by his family who will miss him greatly, son Mark, wife Carla, grandchildren Laura and Taylor, niece Karen and nephew Cameron.
Roy was born in Point Grey. His childhood was challenging, working on a farm of 5,000 chickens, while his father was bedridden from Tuberculosis and passed away when Roy was 13. Just a year later he came upon a fellow who had tired of his car breaking down. He threw the keys to Roy who promptly went about fixing the dang thing with a new differential. During the war years he served in the west coast merchant marine. Following the war Roy returned to technical school and then resumed his automotive interests, from Parts Manager at the GM dealer in West Van to Western Canadian Sales Manager for Fram, Autolite and Bendix. Those were days of rapid growth and with every company change Roy rose to the challenge and often led the corporate and client conventions in Las Vegas.
Roy met his wife Elva in the dentist chair in 1954 following an injury. With his front teeth repaired, they went for a drive and a date or two and soon married. Mark was born a year later. Roy proved handy and built their first home. He built a 6-car garage, 2 sailboats, and even floats for the May Day parade. Arguably the best Flintstone car and dinosaur ever seen.
He was active in real estate, owning several properties in Ambleside as residential land gave way to the apartments seen today. His early loses with mining speculations gave rise to more conservative and successful pursuits and to "Roy's Rules" for avoiding risk in business, trouble in life and ignoring politics altogether. Retired at 57, his focus returned to his hands on talents making their home in the British Properties better than new. When winter closed in vacations to Vegas and ocean cruises called, a life, well lived and enjoyed. All that from just walking down a road, grabbing some car keys and going to the dentist.
In his widowed years, his life was enriched by all the people he befriended. He loved to chat and meet new people. Always helpful, friends knew they could count on Roy. A very special thank you to all the caring and professional staff and nurses of the hospice home support team, Coastal Health and to Dr. Bouchier and Dr. Wills. A family gathering will be held later this year at Capilano View Cemetery. Donations gratefully accepted at NorthShore Hospice thru the Lions Gate Hospital foundation.