Ronald E. Roy

Ronald Eugene Roy, 81, passed away the morning of July 1, 2026 at Queens General Hospital surrounded by his wife, daughters and sons in law. Born in Liverpool, he was the second of five boys to Lincoln and Margaret (McCoombs) Roy. His childhood was full of adventures with his mischievous brothers, enjoying his mother’s famous baking, or sneaking off to the river to teach himself to swim. He contracted diphtheria as a young boy and was quarantined for 6 months, awaiting the dreaded daily visit from the doctor.

In 1962, he met Karen Ells at a Legion dance and they married in August of 1964. Their family soon grew with the births of their daughters and son. Ronnie was a quiet man who never shied away from hard work. His job at 19 years old started each day by walking from the train station in Brooklyn to Cameron’s corner just to catch his drive to Port Mouton and then ended his day doing that journey in reverse. He worked at Mersey Seafoods as a foreman for 47 years and continued making gear for the scallop boats until only a year and half ago.

His greatest love was being in the woods or at his camp. He was a legendary hunter and trapper. “Let’s go get a bunny” was a phrase that would have his rabbit hound, Kelly, at the door in seconds. Whether it was the flick of the white tail on a deer to a bear in a trap, he was there with a bow in his hand, even once chasing a bear down a road. Years ago, Rossignol was home to a massive 16 point buck which made Ronnie holder of a Nova Scotia record for a non-typical white tailed deer and it is proudly hung on his wall, and he loved retelling every detail of that hunt. He knew every inch of the River Road and a Sunday drive was always spent seeing who could spot a deer or telling a hunting story. He also loved fishing and spent many hours dipping kayaks on the Mersey or Medway. His trip to Alberta elk hunting was a highlight. He travelled by tram up the mountains in Jasper where he was lucky enough to get a bear and his hunting partners got three elk. After that, his knees made it harder to walk for hunting but he would happily sit in a hunting blind waiting for the deer to come to him.

Ronnie was very artistic and he could whittle a piece of wood into a forest animal or bird like magic. He was talented at sketching and painting and he could build anything, including the family home. His gardening abilities made people stop to admire the lovely yard that he and Karen tended to every year, always including his favourite hostas. Birdfeeders were always hung where he could sit in his front window and name each one.

Anyone who knew him knew his love of conversation. He spent mornings after retirement making his rounds of Sobey’s, the post office and Mersey Seafoods just to find someone to chat with. He was a kind son, husband, brother, father, grandfather, neighbour, cousin, and friend who would do anything for anyone who asked. He was deeply devoted to his Lord and was of strong faith. He loved family meals where his family would gather. Ron’s sweet tooth was famous and a day without something sugary would bring out his rarely seen grumpy side.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Karen (Ells), daughters Colleen (Rob) Wolfe, Shawn (John) Whynot, and Melanie (Bruce) Inglis. He was a proud papa to grandchildren, Bob, Sarah, Lincoln and Lauren and step grandson Nathaniel and two great grandchildren, Hailey and Benjamin. Ron is also survived by brothers, Arthur (Shirley) and Jeff and his sisters in law, Coleen Roy and Angela Morton.

He was predeceased by his son, Wade, and brothers, Richard and Brian.

Visitation will be held Monday, July 6th from 6-8pm. at Chandlers' Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at Seaside Cemetery in Brooklyn on Tuesday, July 7th at 11am. 

“Life is precious” were the words he lived by. A sweet, kind, gentle man have been the words used to describe him and he will be missed by all those who were fortunate to know him.

The family wishes to thank doctors Cosh, Chaisson, Callaghan and Freeman, QGH nursing staff Tom, Annette, Sarah R, Krassi, Allan and SSRH nurses Renz and Millie for their excellent care of Ron while he battled ALS. He would thank you all with the biggest handshake.

Donations can be made to the ALS Society of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.