Roy George Ballam

We said “bye for now” to Roy Ballam, who passed away at 88 years old, after spending his final days surrounded by his loving family. Roy was born July 31, 1933, in Vancouver, to Violet (nee Searl) and Robert Ballam. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Janet (nee Rankine), children Ian Ballam (Helen) and Kathleen Clissold (Gordon), grandchildren Adrian Ballam, Julia de Gruchy (Luc), Charlotte Clissold (Andrew), and Andi Ballam.

Roy grew up in Mount Pleasant on 14th Avenue near Fraser Street. At an early age Roy learned the meaning of hard work and responsibility. In his memoirs, he describes how his father taught his brother John and him the art of splitting wood for use as fuel in their home. During the of WWII years, Roy began his love for gardening by growing vegetables on the vacant lot across the street with John, after getting permission for land use from the city of course.

As a youth, Roy was an ardent member with Boy Scouts, traveling to the first Boy Scout Jamboree in Ottawa in 1949. In addition, he was active with the Young Peoples Group at Grace United Church, and Toastmasters. Roy attended the Fairview High School of Commerce for grades 9 – 12 where the gender ratio was 375 girls to 30 boys. Somehow Roy managed to graduate without a girlfriend. He must have known that his “true love” was coming along soon.

In May 1953 Janet and her mother purchased the house next door on the corner. They met when Janet was sent to go ask the neighbour on which street to put out the garbage cans for pickup. Roy must have given her a good answer, because a year later they were engaged after spending the day at The Empire Games. Roy and Janet were married on July 2, 1955.

The happy couple welcomed their son Ian in March 1958, and daughter Kathleen in December 1961. They raised their family in the Fraserview neighbourhood of South Vancouver, and in 1979 moved to North Burnaby.

Early on Roy started the tradition of annual family holidays, often travelling to Okanagan Falls, and other areas of B.C. The most memorable family holiday was in 1971 when they embarked on an epic 35-day road trip across Canada. The family also went on many hiking trips including visits to Roy’s favourite spot, Garibaldi Lake, which he claimed was the most beautiful place he'd ever seen.

Roy's working life started in the City Courts as a Court Clerk, followed by a position as Court Stenographer in the City Prosecutor’s Office. In 1958 he was appointed Justice of the Peace (JP) and served in that role for many years. In 1974 Roy was given the opportunity to be an instructor at BCIT, and was involved with the training of many upcoming Court Clerks, JPs, and Sheriffs. He developed courses and wrote the very first JP Manual. As an instructor, he travelled all over B.C. offering training to local JPs. During his successful career, he became known as one of British Columbia’s most respected sitting JPs presiding over traffic court, as well as an outstanding educator. It is important to note that Roy accomplished all this through his hard work, before the Justice Institute existed, and without a degree in Law.

As a long-term board member for the Vancouver Police Credit Union from 1963 – 2001, Roy served in many capacities from Board President, Director and Committee Chair, and then finally as an Honorary Director. He retired in 2017, after 54 years of service.

Roy officially retired from work in 1988, but couldn’t resist an opportunity to start retirement with a contract position training JP’s in the Northwest Territories. He spent 2 years visiting many remote places, meeting many great people and considered this period to be a true highlight of his career. His time up North inspired Roy to do a hiking trip with his son Ian on Baffin Island, where they hiked to the Arctic Circle.

Roy and Janet moved to Coquitlam in 1993 to spend their golden years grandparenting. This was around the time they discovered the fun that could be had with three-generation family vacations. For years they travelled with their kids and grandkids to Mexico, up and down the Pacific Northwest Coast, the Okanagan, Vancouver Island, and even Disneyland.

They also started to travel extensively in the U.S. with friends they had made through square-dancing. In fact, many of these trips revolved around square-dancing! Outside of their family, square and contra dancing were Roy and Janet's greatest passion. They began dancing in 1957, joining the Chuck Wagon 8’s in 1969 (being Chuckie’s Babies). In their prime, they danced up to four days per week! They hung up their dancing shoes in 2014 after spending years as the President Couple, volunteering at their clubs, helping with fundraising activities, serving on the executive of the Fraser Valley Square and Round Dancing Association and helping with the organization of large scale events.

Roy and Janet were loyal Whitecaps (and 86ers) fans. They were season ticket holders from 1978 to 2019, and enjoyed following Canadian soccer. Happy times were spent analyzing every aspect of the game with their fellow soccer fans.

When the grandkids were grown, and they’d danced their last dances, Roy and Janet retired to New Westminster (THE ROYAL CITY) where they spent their days together in their 18th floor apartment, surrounded by sprawling panoramic views of the Fraser River, Vancouver Island, and North Shore mountains. When they weren’t in their condo they were keeping busy by visiting friends and family, playing games, walking the Quay and Foreshore Park, and debating the various issues of the day.

Roy devoted himself to service and leadership in all walks of life, from his days in court, to his commitment to his family—he was an extraordinary man. Roy/Dad/Grampa will be lovingly remembered forever by his family and huge circle of friends and colleagues.

A service will be held September 16, 2022, at 2 p.m., at the Vancouver Golf Club (771 Austin Ave., Coquitlam).

In lieu of flowers consider donating to charity of your choice in Roy’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.OceanViewFuneral.com for the Ballam family.