Hospital.
Roy and his twin brother, Robert, were born at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital on
January 18th, 1939. Roy lived most of his life on the Vineyard and retired to Bourne in
the last ten years.
After graduation from the Vineyard Haven High School, Roy entered the United States
Air Force and was stationed for five years in Kansas and Germany as a radar operator.
He returned to the Island from his duty in the service and soon thereafter began his
career with the utility company ComElectric as a lineman. Fortunately for him, in those
days they didn't have GPS, because the big yellow trucks could often be found parked
at Linda Jean's or the Airport Diner or wherever they served hot coffee. He retired from
keeping the lights on in 1997.
Roy married Elizabeth (Betsy) Healey in 1965. Together, they had three children—Roy,
Brenda, and David.
Roy met his second wife, Sherrill (Sherry) McMorrow, in 1976 at the Ocean View
Restaurant after she accidentally tripped him. With her three daughters and his two
sons and daughter, they became the Brady Bunch for the next 42 years. Roy was
known as ‘Big Roy’ to his stepdaughters and in later years as Pa.
Back during a time when there was a bit more of South Beach, many summer
weekends included 4-wheeling and cookouts with all the kids. For almost ten years, until
1997, he and Sherry owned and ran "The Last Resort" food truck at the Big Bridge.
Of course, as an Island boy, Roy grew up with a love for the outdoors, hunting and
fishing. The Derby was always looked forward to and, although a place at the podium
eluded him, Roy won Sportsman of the Year in 1979. He was present along with Sherry
and his son Roy at one of the Derby’s most legendary moments—the "Columbus Day
Blitz" of 1981.
Fall, a time he truly enjoyed, was spent with his sons, friends, and family at hunting
camps in New York, West Virginia, and Iowa. His homemade chowder and boiled
dinners were always favorites at camp. Roy took his last stand in Iowa on November 10,
2017.
Roy was predeceased by his parents, Clinton "Curly" Irvin Hope and Evelyn May
Bunker, as well as his brother, twin Robert Irvin Hope.
Roy is survived by his loving wife, Sherrill Hope, of Bourne, and his sister, Marcia Hope
Merrill, of Vineyard Haven. He is also survived by his children, Roy Clinton Hope and
his wife Kathy Lacek Hope of West Tisbury, David Hope and his wife Meggan
Mantenuto Hope and their children Lily and Landon of Bourne, and Brenda Hope of
Sarasota, Florida, as well as his stepchildren, Michelle McMorrow of Bourne and her
son CPL Christopher R Perry USMC and his wife Morgan Reardon Perry of Garner,
North Carolina, Brenda McMorrow of Bourne, and Lee McMorrow of St. Petersburg,
Florida.
He is also survived by many nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-
nephews, all of whom will miss their beloved Uncle Roy.
Roy loved his children with all his heart and did his best to support and steer them
through life. He enjoyed his grandchildren very much and went to many youth hockey
games to watch Landon and Christopher play. Some of his very last words were "God
bless my kids" God bless you, Dad. Safe journey and we will all be looking for you.
A Memorial service will be held Saturday, Jan. 5th at 12:30 pm at Nickerson-Bourne
Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd, Bourne, MA 02532. Visitation 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. prior to service.
