Joseph Robert Roy, Radioman Special, RCN

In memory of those who have Crossed the Bar

Joseph Robert Roy

Communicator Supplementary / Radioman Special, 32034-H, RCN

Born: 19 Feb 1940 (near) Rivière-Héva, Quebec, Canada

Died: 09 Aug 2018

ROY, Joseph Robert (Bob) - was born February 19, 1940, in a small cabin near Rivière-Héva, Quebec to Emile Roy and Jeanne Collin. Robert was the middle of two brothers (Jean Paul and Bernard).

After the war, Robert's family moved several times, following the mining circuit throughout northern Quebec and Ontario. When he was 12 years old, the family settled in Cobalt, Ontario where his father had been born. Robert was highly active in sports (hockey and softball), loved fishing and camping, and was part of a small music band that played at local weddings and parties.

He graduated high school early in Cobalt, and enlisted in the Royal Canadian Navy in March 1957, one month after turning 17. He went to HMCS Cornwallis, where he was on the track & field, hockey, basketball and boxing teams, even winning the "golden gloves" award for his weight division. He completed his basic training on August 10, 1957, and transferred to HMCS Gloucester, where he was part of the Queen's Honour Guard.

Robert initially wanted to work as a Mechanic/Engineer, however the Navy placed him in radar communications. While waiting for a placement, he worked briefly as an Assistant Cook and Military Police, until he was deployed on a frigate (ship unknown) that went to Bermuda. As he was the youngest seaman on the ship, he was appointed "Captain for the Day". Robert went on to work in Alert, Nunavut as part of the Signals Intelligence Operation, serving on the DEW line, and he was later deployed on the United State's USS Forestal (CV-59) as a Communications Specialist.

In 1960, Robert (now Bob) left the Navy and moved to Elliot Lake, Ontario, where he worked as a Diamond Driller for Denison Mine. He met Mollie Nellie Roy (no relation) and they married on April 4, 1964. Bob and Mollie moved to Toronto, Ontario in 1965, where they had a daughter. He worked as a Store Manager at Steinberg's Grocery, then later operated a small construction business. In 1968, they moved first to Virginia Town, Ontario, where they had a son, and then back to Elliot Lake, where Bob returned to working in the mines.

In the early spring of 1969, Bob and Mollie drove over 4000 km. to Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, where Bob worked as a Purchasing Agent for the City. In 1971, Bob and Mollie opened a new transportation business, called "BOJO's", which he later expanded to include a variety store that specialized in candy, books, food, and native arts & crafts. In 1976, they sold the business, and Bob accepted the position as General Manager for the local bottling plant, where he later won Coca Cola's "Bottler of the Year".

Bob was a very active member of the community, participating in the 1970 Northwest Territories Centennial Canoe Race (17 days and 1,812 km long-distance/short sprint racing down the Mackenzie River to Inuvik). He continued to pursue his love of camping and fishing; coached youth hockey; and regularly provided training, job opportunities, and support to troubled youth and offenders.

In 1980, the family moved to Whitehorse, Yukon where together they owned and managed several businesses, including "Whitehorse Beverages", the Coca Cola bottling plant. Bob spent what little free time he had, camping and fishing salmon. He also continued to provide pre-employment training opportunities for troubled youth and training and sponsorship for individuals on probation and parole.

In 1986, spurred by his on-going desire to help others, Bob and Mollie sold the businesses and moved to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories. There, Bob graduated with Honors from Arctic College with a Diploma in Social Work. In 1988, they returned to Whitehorse, where Bob started working as an Addictions Counselor for Crossroads Treatment Centre, where he obtained ICADC (International Certified Alcohol & Drug Counsellor) Designation. In 1993 Bob was hired by the Yukon Government as an Instructor, Group Facilitator, and court-ordered Addictions Counsellor, helping hundreds of individuals struggling with addiction until his retirement in 2006.

Bob remained active during his retirement, spending his time camping, fishing, travelling (cruising), participating in the Canada Senior Games, gardening, and woodworking - creating and selling personalized art using reclaimed wood.

On Thursday, August 9, 2018, after an accident, Bob passed away surrounded by his family. Bob was devoted to helping others. He will always be remembered as a quiet, gentle, compassionate man, who was unselfishly generous with his time, advice, and support.

Ships served in:

HMCS CORNWALLIS

HMCS GLOUCESTER

CFS ALERT

USS FORESTAL