Peacefully in Lions Gate Hospital, surrounded by his close family and with the thoughts and prayers of friends and relatives located in Canada, the United Kingdom, France and the United States. Fully engaged, mentally alert, determined and courageous to the last hours of his life he died while recovering from recent surgery.
Born in London, England on January 16, 1919, Roy accompanied his emigrating parents when he was an infant making the trans-Atlantic journey by ship and then crossing Canada to Victoria by train where they made their new home and where Roy, and later his brother Stan, spent their formative years.
Roy spent most of his working career in the forest industry, rising through the ranks in the operations that eventually were consolidated into British Columbia Forest Products Limited. From his beginnings as an electrician in the Victoria sawmill, Roy retired in 1980 as Executive Vice President.
With a reputation for being a tough but even-handed negotiator and peacemaker, Roy played an important role in the relationship between the province’s forest industry and its unionized work force. In his many formal capacities, he served as Chairman of Forest Industrial Relations and held leadership positions in the Council of Forest Industries and other industry associations.
Despite the demands of his career and family, Roy had a keen interest in civic affairs and served as a councilor, alderman and acting mayor for the District of North Vancouver between 1959 and 1968. An avid gardener and curler, Roy also enjoyed travel with his family and friends. Most of all, those who knew him will not soon forget his quick wit, keen mind and innate wisdom.
He is survived by his loving wife Vikki; his brother Stan; sons, John (Lynda), Richard (Gail) and Ron; daughters Lynn (Barrie) and Judith (Jerry); Sons-in-law, Bob Wismer and Stu Clugston (Deb), step-daughter, Debbie Coffill; grandchildren Erin, Tyler, Courtney, Jay, Dolly, David, Bobby, Sam, Julie, Suzanne, Jennifer, Fiona, Ross, Cameron; 14 great grandchildren, nieces, Barbara and Nancy; nephews Robert and Terry.
Pre-deceased by his wife of 59 years, Gladys (2005) and his daughters Jacquie (2002) and Patty (2005).
A memorial service will be held Tuesday Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at St David’s United Church, Taylor Way & #1 Hwy, West Vancouver. In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted for the Dr. Patty Clugston Chair in Breast Reconstruction, c/o The VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, 855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver BC, V5Z 1M9
Arrangements under the direction of Forest Lawn Funeral Home, Burnaby, BC.
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