EDMOND ROY

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EDMOND ROY Edmond Roy was born June 27, 1923 to Leon (Dewey) Roy and Yvonne St. Germain. He was the oldest of nine children. He leaves Leon, Marcel, Leonard and Julien to mourn him He was predeceased by his sisters Bernice (died as a baby), Orise, Rose-Marie, Bernice and a brother Germain. He also leaves his son Robert, and Ronald, Gerald, Joanne and Jacqueline as well as many nieces and nephews to grieve him. After graduating from high school in St. Pierre he enrolled in the Royal Canadian Air Force at the beginning of the Second World War. He was soon sent to England. It's during this time that his father, who worked for Manitoba Hydro, was electrocuted and died. Edmond took on the responsibility for his mother and brothers and sisters by forwarding a large part of his cheque every month. Back in the Canada following the war Dad eventually took a job teaching in St. Rose. In October of that year his best friend, Gérard (Jerry) Valois, died in a hunting accident. Gérard was married to Adeline Gagné who had always been a very good friend of Ed. Ed participated with Jean Léon Gagné, Adeline's father, in recuperating funds owed "Jerry's Electric" company. A few years later Ed and Adeline married. Ed became stepfather to three young children, Ronald, Gérald, Joanne and a fourth adolescent adopted by the family, Jacqueline Champagne. On April 18, 1955 a further child was born named Robert. As an electrician Dad accepted work all over the province and spent many months in the far North and the Arctic. In 1967 he accepted a teaching job at Red River Community College forming electricians. In 1969 he and Adeline bought a house in Windsor Park and moved to the city. He retired from teaching in 1993, at the age of 71. Edmond was a very special man! When he returned from the war he did his utmost to look after his mother's needs as well as his younger brothers and sisters. When he married in 1955 he again took responsibility but this time for Adeline's children as well as his own. He was totally devoted and generous. Compassion, courage, generosity and faith totally describe him! Following Mom's death in 2008 Edmond wanted to put on paper the major events of his life. Backed by his children he began writing, in French, the story of his life. Eventually a friend named Bernard Bocquel, a former journalist, offered Edmond to help him out. A year and a half later they printed a book entitled Personne voulait que je sois Métis'. At the book launch Edmond realized that most of his personal family no longer spoke French and could not read the book. With the story still fresh in his mind he got back to writing and within another year and a half printed a second book he called One man, Two cultures'. Those two brilliant books showed everyone the immense knowledge and talent he possessed. In the last year of his life Edmond lived at Jocelyn House. The family are very appreciative of the love, attention, and respect the members of the staff and volunteers showed him. We are so very grateful to you! Thank you Rose-Marie, Michelle, Karen, Jackie and the rest of the personnel and volunteers! And another special thank you to Dr. Kristianson for the absolute quality attention you gave him. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 30 at St. Boniface Cathedral. Finally, if anyone was interested in contributing to a cause in Edmond's name we encourage you to offer it to: Jocelyn House Hospice, 177 Egerton Road, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R2M 2W7. Desjardins 204-233-4949 1-888-233-4949 www.desjardinsfuneralchapel.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 28, 2016