Obituary of Roland Anthony Roy

Roland Anthony Roy passed away October 28, 2023, in Lacey, Washington.  He was born July 5, 1930, to Paul Joseph Roy and Alice Elizabeth Grandbois in Red Lake Falls, Minnesota.

 

Roland’s family moved from Minnesota to the Tacoma, Washington, area in 1943.  They relocated to Lacey, Washington, at the south end of Chambers Lake. Roland graduated from St. Martin’s High School and served in the U.S. Navy (1948-1955) during the Korean War; he also witnessed the testing of atomic bombs in 1954. He was stationed in Pensacola, Florida (three years) and in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii (four years).  During his time in the military, he continued his education, and married Dolores Ann Robbins at Lacey’s Sacred Heart Catholic Church on October 20, 1951.

 

Upon Roland’s discharge from the service, he purchased a 22-acre farm in Lacey where he and Dolores raised their family.  He eventually moved to Panorama in Lacey, his home for the past 12 years.

 

Roland enjoyed a varied professional career.  He worked on the railroad, planted trees, was a civil engineer at Ft. Lewis, a heavy equipment operator, bus driver for Intercity Transit, and worked 20+ years for Sacred Heart Church, where he was a member.  He also belonged to the Knights of Columbus--Lacey.

 

Roland was a good storyteller, had an infectious laugh, and was a good listener, hard worker, and friend to all. He was always ready to go hunting, fishing, camping, or to family gatherings.  He also loved boating and four-wheeling, and always rode his Harley Davidson motorcycles. He enjoyed music and square dancing and was a member of the Lacey Daisies square dance club.

 

Roland is survived by his wife, Dolores Ann Roy; son, Ronald Roy; seven daughters, Debbie Mehring, Carol Schelley, Diane Thompson, Sandy Craypo, Linda Nelson, Marcia McBride, Maureen Hartsell; 21 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; three brothers and three sisters.  He was predeceased by his parents and one brother.

 

A funeral mass will be held Friday, November 17, 2023, 10:15 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 812 Bowker St. SE, Lacey, WA 98503.

 

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