I could say a lot about Roy Nathan, but the most important is this: he was my second father.  

From the time I was eight years old, I spent at least one night a week at the Nathans' and many an afternoon.  Roy was tireless in parenting - and I was no exception.  I was equally included in everything: from car pooling and game playing to quizzing on report card results or prodding to try new things at the dinner table.  He was a teacher always - whether by lecture, or, so powerfully, by example.  He was a man you couldn’t fail to respect.  My kids still feel the results of Roy’s trick-or-treating etiquette as I follow them around a myriad of activities bidding them to repeat their "thank you" louder so I can hear them.  He was one of those people who seemed to know everything - he could explain about the game on tv, how to fix things in the house or why it was important to make a guest feel welcome upon arrival.  It’s often said, but he actually had a twinkle in his eyes that seemed to be reserved just for us kids.   

He was also someone we kids did not want to cross - I can remember some serious pow-wows in the playroom as we discussed how to hide some disastrous mess before he came home.  But when he came home, and I can still remember all these years later the sound of the garage door opening and his voice calling out, it was like the party was just starting.  And he had such pride in his family - my most vivid memory of Jennifer’s Bat Mitzvah was the look of total happiness on his face.  And as so many have noted, he lived fully and joyfully regardless of any personal pain.  I am so grateful to have had his presence, his influence, his wisdom, and his warmth as a foundation of my childhood.   

Roy and Jeannie have touched every major milestone in my life - from elementary school graduation to the gifts that marked the births of my children.  Even though it has been some time since he was a fixture in my daily life, he remained, and always will be, beloved.

I knew Roy as a colleague and friend for almost 40 years.  Roy had a profound and positive influence on my career, but more importantly he was a remarkable example of optimism and courage.   In all those years, I never heard Roy utter a word of regret or defeat. From the first day he told me of the health challenges he faced many years ago, there was never a complaint, never any self pity, never a 'why me?'  He just faced it with the same resolve, logical purpose and humor that met all his challenges. 
Jeannie, Jennifer and Jared knew how special Roy was, but they should know many others did too.
(although I seem to remember some questionable tactics in croquet :)
Brian
 

Favorite memory - I'll never forgot the day Roy came to my office and told me the air condition ducts were in the wrong places. Brings a smile to my face just thinking about that day. 

We've had many fun conversations over the last twenty years. The last few years some serious ones too. His enthusiasm never wavered. He loved his family and he loved mine too. He loved everyone. I'll miss him dearly and always smile whenever I think of Roy. 

 Rest in peace my friend,
 Anthony Scibetta

It was a pleasure to get to know Roy and his lovely family over the past couple of years.   May his memories forever be a source of happiness and love, and may G-d rest his soul.  

Dear Jeanne,
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family on the passing of Roy.  
We hope it will bring you comfort to know the thoughts of your friends are with you at this time of sorrow.  May each new day lessen your grief.
Please accept our heartfelt condolences

Dear Jeannie and family,
Our deepest sympathy on Roy's passing  .  We will always remember his smile and kind words.  He will be sadly  missed by his family and all who knew him.
Elin and David



Dear Jeanne and family 
Our deepest condolences to you on Roy’s passing.
We know he will be  missed by friends and family and also well remembered  by all who knew him.
Jeannie, please let us know if we can be of help to you in any way.
Judy and Don

There was nothing more important to my dad than his family. Only football, his incredible knowledge about engineering, science, business (and most other things) and maybe ice cream even come close. 
He loved and cherished my mom as much as any human could love another. Their love for each other, in good times and hard times, so much sickness and so much health models the kind of love that I strive for in my marriage. It is the kind of love that I want for my children in their future life partnerships.
I will always be grateful for the ways that he showed my brother and me his love — such as working hard to provide us with everything we needed and so much of what we wanted. He encouraged us to do well in school and expressed pride in our careers. He shared his value of hard work. He was the kind of dad that he wanted ... there for all of the important times, big and small.
I will miss is his enthusiasm and positive energy that he brought to our favorite activities when we were growing up, like playing sports outside (or at least trying to), playing race cars in the kitchen, taking my brother and me to the Thanksgiving Day parade every year and letting us stay up late to watch the Muppet Show. I’ll always cherish memories of him taking me roller skating every weekend morning, how proud he made me feel when doing little tricks on my skates, and sharing lemon lime soda. 
As my dad got sicker in recent years, he still continued to stay positive as much as he could. He took us all on a cruise, something he and my mom loved to do, continued to share his knowledge and passionate opinions about everything, and express interest in and love for all of those around him. 
Dad, I will miss you so, so much. I am so proud of you, and all of the parts my children and me that are so much like you. And I am so grateful to have you forever in my heart. 
 


My Dad and I had many happy memories together over the years.  A father and son bond is a bond like no other.  Dad took me to many sporting events, such as Monster Trucks, Baseball, Ice Hockey, and Basketball games and taught me many sports as well; he never missed a game when I played.  I remember playing catch and basketball in the backyard. Watching Star Trek on Sunday afternoons.  When I was very young, we played put-put speedway in the kitchen, where we would crash toy cars into each other. I always wondered who liked it more.  During my college years, we would try to meet for lunch once a week just to reconnect.
We went on my family vacations together, showing us how the world can offer so much.  Always teaching the beauty of family.  

I always felt my Dad was quiet and a keep to himself kind of person, but when he spoke, I knew to listen to his advice. He was a true role model making me the person that I am today. I always did my best to be a good a brother, husband, father, and son and I will continue based on what he taught me. I hold the values I have learned from Dad close to my heart and will pass it onto my children.

I owe so much to him, how I have grown, because of my Dad.

Dad, thank you for all you have done for me and helped mold me, into the man that I am today. I will always remember you and for all that you have done for us

I have very fond memories of Roy and you Jeanne when we would gather at my Aunt Ruth's & Uncle Ralph's for the Passover seder.
Delicious food and great company! I wish you nothing but good health and extend my heartfelt condolences to your family. Roy was a wonderful person who had a gentle soul and will be greatly missed.

My heart breaks for Roy's wife Jeanne, his children Jennifer and Jared, their spouses Jay and Jeannie, his grandchildren,  his brother Bruce, sister-in-law Elyse and their children, on Roy's untimely passing.  Roy was my eldest first cousin and has always been in my life. He was one of the strongest and bravest people I've ever known, valiantly struggling with MS for decades. He fought long and hard against being debilitated by  MS.  He refused to let his disease prevent him from walking both Jennifer and Jared down the aisle at their weddings.  Roy loved his family and his family adored him. It was this love that gave him the strength to endure the pain he lived with daily.  He looked forward to regular visits from his kids and grandkids. Roy was kind, caring, generous, upbeat and positive despite the hardships he faced. I'm comforted only by knowing that Roy is no longer in pain and that he passed away at home, not alone in a hospital. Roy, I will miss you. May your memory be a blessing to all who knew you and loved you.  Love, Susan

OBITUARY

Roy Nathan

June 10, 1947 – April 21, 2020

Bloomfield-Cooper Jewish Chapels

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