OBITUARY

Dibyendu Roy

December 29, 1935 – February 16, 2021

Dibyendu Roy was born on December 29, 1935 and passed away on February 16, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario and is under the care of Kane-Jerrett Funeral Homes.

Private Family Service will be held on February 22, 2021 at 11:00 am at Forest Lawn Crematorium.

Donations in Dibyendu Roy's memory can be made to Alzheimer's Society of Ontario.

You may leave a message for the family by clicking here.

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  • Private Family Service

    Monday, February 22, 2021

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Dibyendu Roy

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David Balsillie

March 18, 2021

Dear Marie and Family;
Apologies for this late acknowledgement of DN's passing. I just read his obituary in the OPFA Newsletter.
As you will remember, I was a student in the Shade Tree Research Laboratory when DN arrived in Toronto. We were also pleased to welcome you when you arrived from Connecticut.
DN and I, along with our colleagues at the Shade Tree Lab shared many great times together. DN added a new dimension to our studies. His knowledge of chemistry was invaluable to our work.
His international outlook also added to our many political discussions.
Over the years his insights into the dynamics of the Faculty of Forestry and his strategic views were of great use to me in my work with the Ontario Government. We renewed our relationship when I returned to the Faculty. Again we enjoyed many conversations on a wide range of topics. DN's value as a teacher and mentor is evidenced by the many tributes from former students. I witnessed these traits first-hand during my tenure at the Faculty. As has been noted, he was a "Gentle Man" and a "Gentleman". He will surely be missed by all.

All the Best..........David.....and Darlow, too.

Milica Saagh

February 27, 2021

Dr. Roy was one of my professors in the Faculty of Forestry. I remember him as a patient, kind, gentle and modest man.

I frequently walk between St. Mary's University and Dalhousie University. There are many elm trees on my route and, truth be told, I think of Dr. Roy every time I see an elm.

My sincere condolences to his family.

Milica Saagh (B.Sc.F. 1982)

Dr. Birendra K Paul

February 27, 2021

My heartfelt condolences for his family. I was intimately associated with Dr Roy at Bengal Immunity Research Institute, Calcutta, India in 1960's where I was doing my PhD research under it's Director late Dr U P Basu and Dr Roy was a Research Officer. I fondly remember his erudite scholarship and affectionate personality. May his soul Rest In Peace.

ARPANA BHATNAGAR

February 25, 2021

Dr. Roy was a pillar of strength for me during my stay in Forestry Dept. 2002 to 2004. He was my mentor and guide and helped me though out that period and after that too. He will be deeply missed.

R.I.P. Dr.Roy.

Richard Kelertas

February 25, 2021

I am a BscF and MscF graduate of the Faculty of Forestry, University of Toronto and was taught by Dr. Roy during my time there (1972-1978). I will always remember his enthusiasm for his craft and for the students he guided thru his Organic Chemistry courses. His work with Dutch Elm disease was ground-breaking at the time and still is today...a post doctorate Scholarship Program in his name ( for Forest Pathogenic Disease Research) should be set up at the Graduate Studies level at UofT.

I will suggest this to my Alumni Association colleagues at our next meeting.....my sincerest condolences to his family.

Richard A. Kelertas ( Class of 1977)

Richard & Barbara (Banks) Ubbens

February 25, 2021

We remember Dr. Roy with fondness - a friendly professor who took personal interest in his students as he opened our eyes to the bio-chemistry realm of trees. His work was formative in Urban Forestry as other disease and invasive insects issues arose over time. Dr. Roy was a great collaborator. His kind disposition and support were always appreciated and will always be remembered as part of his legacy of life work.

Paul Chorney

February 25, 2021

I was saddened to hear of Professor Roy’s passing. I remember his very interesting lectures and his enthusiasm for learning. But most of all I remember the man, as a kind, good humoured mentor who was always willing to spend some time with me to help with the direction of my studies or tell a funny story. I will remember him fondly and I pray that his family will be comforted by a rich tapestry of life memories. I extend my sincere condolesces.

Eva Sain

February 24, 2021

Dear Mary and family,

I have just learned the sad news and remembering this evening Prof. Roy and your family.

I am sorry I could not express my condolences in person, and show my appreciation for having the privilege of knowing him.

This week I will be remembering his legacy in my thoughts and prayers. I will also be praying for You and Your family so you find strength in these difficult times.

Kind regards,
Eva







Dave McLaughlin

February 24, 2021

It is with profound sadness that I learned of DN's passing. DN was my Master's supervisor, and liaison with the Faculty of Forestry, and a friend. He hooked me up with several professors for my many guest lectures to undergraduate and graduate students over the years. I thoroughly enjoyed my interaction with students, made possible by DN's behind the scenes coordination. DN was also the sponsor that resulted in my Master's thesis being awarded the 1990 Excellence in Research Award, an Ontario Government recognition for gov't/university collaborative research, a first for the Faculty of Forestry. An award I knew nothing about, but DN did, and he lobbied hard and successfully on my behalf. I spent many afternoons with DN at the old Forestry building, and many more at the new Forestry/Environmental Science complex, discussing geopolitics, science, university policies, government strategies (or lack thereof) and what it took to be a good person in today's fast-paced, multicultural, society. DN never lost sight of the personal aspects, the human cost of the complexities of our dynamic society. A heavy discussion of politics and policy inevitably led to a personal story of struggle and triumph. In many ways he contributed significantly to my moral compass, my ethical rudder. I wish I knew he was failing, I would have enjoyed spending some more time with him. That's my fault, I let our correspondence lapse. I'm certain that DN touched countless other grad students and friends the way he influenced me. The world is better for DN's contribution, and a little smaller for his passing.

Dinesh Misra

February 24, 2021

Prof Roy was such a wonderful and helpful person. He was there in the faculty when I joined in 1997 and he immediately took a liking for us and even though we were not his students, he was sort of a guardian to us in the faculty. One whom we can always lean on for our professional and personal problems. One passion that we shared was for old Hindi movies. He had a great collection of old Hindi songs too . He had helped and groomed so many persons, that everyone would be too willing to help his students. A wonderful person, full of life and humor and always full of interesting anecdotes. The world has certainly lost a great human being and a great soul. May he attain peace and Nirvana and may the Almighty give strength to his family and all of us to bear this loss. He will be sorely missed.

FROM THE FAMILY