TEWKSBURY: Gerard C. Roy, age 85, a resident of Tewksbury for over 31 years, died Sunday, February 10, 2008 at Saints Medical Center in Lowell.
He was the husband of Alice M. (Patenaude) Roy, with whom he celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on October 17th.
Born in Newmarket, NH on October 29, 1922, he was the son of the late Thomas and Florence (LaRoche) Roy.
Mr. Roy was raised in Newmarket and attended Newmarket schools.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy. Mr. Roy served during World War II aboard the U.S.S. Upham and the U.S.S. Breckenridge. Prior to his honorable discharge from active duty he was awarded several decorations including the World War II Victory Medal, the American Theater Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Medal with one star.
Following his military service, he was employed for over 30 years as a welder by the Boston Naval Ship Yard until his retirement in 1972. In addition, from 1949-1963 he owned and operated one of the last working farms in Tewksbury.
During his retirement years, Mr. Roy lived in Zephyr Hills, FL until moving back to Newmarket, NH in 2007 and most recently with his son Ron in Tewksbury.
Mr. Roy enjoyed gardening and spending time with his family.
He was a member of the Moose Lodge of Zephyr Hills, FL, a life member of the Zephyr Hills V.F.W. Post # 4209 and a former member of the Tewksbury V.F.W. Post # 8164.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Ron Roy and his wife Linda of Tewksbury and Garry Roy of Bartlett, NH; his son-in-law, Richard Spires of Florida; seven grandchildren, Timothy and Christen Roy of Windham, ME, Aimee Roy of Tewksbury, Scott Roy and his friend Jon Tanguay of Bartlett, NH, Anne Marie Roy of Mountianview, CA, Linda Clark, Donna and Eric Van der Meide and Richard and Rebecca Spires all of Florida; nine great grandchildren; two sisters, Alice stone of W. Kennebunk, ME and Irene Deblois of Suncook, NH; one brother, Richard Roy and his wife Patricia of Manchester, NH.
Mr. Roy was the father of the late Susan Spires who died November 21, 2007, father-in-law of the late Susan Roy who died February 27, 2007 and brother of the late Oscar and Edgar Roy.
Calling hours Thursday, Feb. 14th, 4-8 p.m., at the Farmer & Dee Funeral Home, 16 Lee St., Tewksbury. Funeral Friday, Feb. 15th, 9 a.m., from the funeral home, followed by his Funeral Mass at 10 a.m., at St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St., Rte. 38, Tewksbury. Interment at Tewksbury Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer’s Assoc., 311 Arsenal St., Watertown, MA 02472 are suggested.