Mr. Roy Arthur Cornick

It is with profound sadness that we announce Roy (Dad, Poppa) was promoted to glory on April 23, 2022, at the age of 90 in Surrey, BC. He was born in Jersey, in the Channel Islands. We are at peace knowing he is now reunited with our Mum, his loving wife, Margaret Eve (June 2021) and beloved daughter and sister Amanda (Mandy) Jayne (August 1979).

Roy is lovingly survived by his daughters, Suzanne (Ken), Janette & Beverley (Michael), 6 grandchildren along with their partners and 7 (soon to be 8) great-grandchildren.

Roy touched so many lives sharing his passion and extensive knowledge of music. At age 7 he picked up a beat-up old euphonium which began his journey in the world of music and banding. He played many instruments over his lifetime including the cornet, horn, tuba, trombone and euphonium. He was also an accomplished Conductor/Bandmaster.

Roy’s career began in the trades in Jersey as a shipwright and then carpenter. After 6 years he left the Island and joined the British Army. He returned to the Island and married our Mum on July 2, 1953, it was then he was posted to Germany. In 1956 they decided to immigrate to Canada and he left the British Army. After a stint working at General Motors in Toronto he re-enlisted and joined the Canadian Armed Forces and was stationed to Calgary, Alberta.

In Calgary Roy was the Assistant Bandmaster and then Bandmaster of the Calgary Citadel Corps. He played tuba and bass trombone in the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra. Calgary was where he started privately teaching young people and his love of teaching began. After 8 years in Calgary, the family moved to Victoria where he played in the military band. He would go to the School of Music for accreditation and then teach there. Roy then applied for a post to Chilliwack BC and would stay for one year playing in the Royal Canadian Engineers Band. Upon his return to Victoria, he joined the Naden Band as the Assistant Conductor.

In 1970, Roy got the opportunity to be the Musical Director of the West Vancouver Community Band. This was his dream job where he would stay for 8 years. During that time, he went back to school where he attended Capilano College and then the University of BC. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music and his Masters in Education.

Roy’s next adventure would come when he was hired by the Surrey School Board to teach at Frank Hurt Secondary School in Music, Art, Drama and Mathematics and he would stay for 15 years until he moved into a new position teaching Grade 7 students between six schools. After 20 years in the public school system, he retired.

Throughout Roy’s life he was a member of the Salvation Army and was the Divisional Bandmaster for BC. Year after year he was a large part of the musical ministry. Besides playing and conducting in the band he was a part of the various camps the Salvation Army ran at Camp Sunrise and the National Camps in Toronto. He also played in the Jubilee Brass and Delta Bands. In 2013 Roy was honoured to be presented with the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal. Roy continued to play his euphonium right up to his passing in preparation to go to band practice that week.

His love for his family was his first priority. We are so proud of the legacy and memories he left behind for us. We love you so much Poppa and will always miss you but we know you will always be near watching over us. In the words of this talented, kind, and generous legend “It’s been a slice!”

In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Roy’s name to the BC Kidney Foundation.