April 17, 2019
We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of our beloved Roy who departed this world on April 17th; 2 days before his 78th birthday. He put up a brave fight with cancer for two and a half years. Complications due to his depleted immune system and another hernia surgery were just too much for him to fully recover from.
Roy was born to parents Lorna and George Andrew in Grand Forks on April 19th, 1941. Four sisters, Ella, Irene, Agnes and Joy were awaiting his arrival at home. Two more children were born into the family; Carole in 1942 and David in 1948. Sadly, they all predeceased Roy as did his parents and special sister-in-law Myra Rossi.
Roy leaves his devoted wife Julie to mourn and son Troy (Dianne), daughter Cheryl (Rod) Fofonoff, granddaughter Kayla (Jeff) Ferguson, and greatgrandchildren, Vienna and Jaxx. Roy also leaves behind many friends, cousins, nephews, and nieces, notably Maxine Ruzicka, and Dolores (Perry) Hanson who have been invaluable to the family, and special sister-in-law Shirley Daniels.
Roy was old school; he could build or fix anything. He spent many years working in the forestry industry as a faller or cat driver. He worked at Bryant's sawmill in the North Fork and Dondale's Mill. In 1969 he went to work for Interior Mill Equipment. He attended B.C.I.T. to acquire his fabrication certificate. In 1986 he became maintenance supervisor for Pope and Talbot.
He took an early retirement so that he could spend every day with his soul mate and great love Julie. Roy and Julie were married on December 19th 1962 and spent 56 plus years in wedded bliss. Adding to their happiness was the birth of son Troy in 1963 and daughter Cheryl in 1966.
Roy was an avid outdoors man. He loved hunting and fishing. Many weekends and holidays saw him and Julie camping, fishing and berry picking. His favorite lake was Nevertouch up Christian Valley. Their travels took them throughout B.C., the Yukon and Alaska as well as months wintering in Arizona. The past years would see Roy ride off with his Quad gang every Sunday.
Last May Roy and Julie's home was devastated by flood waters. Despite the pain from metastatic cancer he worked tirelessly to completely redo the interior of the house. He was a very brave and strong man.
Roy did not go on his final journey alone. His best friend of 70+ years, Charlie Varabioff passed over the same day. It seemed fitting.
Roy's remains have been entrusted to the Grand Forks Funeral Home for cremation.
The family would like to gratefully thank the doctors and nurses at the ICU at Trail Hospital who did all they could to make Roy's final days more comfortable and peaceful, and our own hearts and minds more at ease. Special thanks also to Dr. Coleshill and Scott at Grand Forks Hospital for all their care and support over the last few years.
We also thank all the friends, family and neighbours for their support and kind words.
We will miss our Roy forever.
Julie sends him off with this. "Vios Con Dios my Darling. I'll leave the light on for you in the hall."
Celebration of Life will be held at Brown Creek Hall on May 5th at 2 pm.
Grand Forks Funeral Home