McNamara and Sparrell Funeral Homes
John Francis Roy
Biography
John Francis Roy, retired attorney, age 79 of Cohasset, MA, died in a tragic tour bus accident in Florida on February 22, 2010. He is survived by his wife, Dolores (Searles), who was by his side at the time, doing what they loved - traveling, learning and meeting new friends.
John was the youngest of four children of Dr. Charles A. Roy and Mary Catherine (Denny). He was a graduate of Mamaronack High School, NY and Middlebury College, VT in 1952, where he played football. After college, John served in the Korean War as a Sergeant in the Army. Upon returning home, he obtained his law degree from Georgetown University, Class of 1956.
In 1959, he married Dolores and began working for Curtis-Wright in New Jersey. They moved to Cohasset in 1966 when John went to work for General Dynamics at the Quincy Shipyard as contracts manager. In 1972, he obtained an MBA from Babson College. He left General Dynamics after 7 years to pursue business interests, including helping to form New England Group Trust, a Hingham-based insurance company, before focusing on his private legal practice.
John loved Cohasset and the South Shore area. He was an avid sailor and kept a boat in Cohasset Harbor for many years. He loved being near the sea, often swimming at Sandy Beach, and in retirement, he and Dolores would often start their day by walking along Nantasket Beach. He was also an avid sportsman and encouraged and coached his children and grandchildren in a variety of sports and was an enthusiastic supporter of Cohasset High School sports teams. He enjoyed playing tennis and later developed a passion for golf and loved to play with his children or friends
John was an active member of St Anthony's Parish in Cohasset, where he served on the original parish council and later, as eucharistic minister. In town, he served on the Zoning Board of Appeals, the Board of the Cohasset Community Center and as a community advisor to the police department. He also helped to organize fundraising and development for the town swim center. In retirement, he actively volunteered for Cohasset Elder Affairs, Meals on Wheels and FISH, a local outreach program.
John enjoyed traveling with Dolores. Each year, he looked forward to planning new adventures and traveling to meet friends and family. Over the years, they enjoyed several Elderhostel trips, visited many national parks, cruised in Alaska and visited Paris and Normandy for their 50th anniversary. Most of all, John loved his family and he especially enjoyed holidays and celebrations that brought his family all together.
He will be missed by all his friends and family, especially his wife, Dolores; his children, John and his wife, Susan and their son, Jared, of London, UK; Bill and his wife, Stephanie, and their daughters Elizabeth and Hannah, of Scituate, MA; Madeline of Beverly, MA; James and his wife, Pamela and their children, Brendan and Payton, of Pembroke, MA. He was the uncle of Nancy French of Boca Raton, FL; Linda Halacki of Redlands, CA; Richard Haas of Tampa, FL and Denny Roy of Honolulu, HI. Mr. Roy is predeceased by his brothers, Charles and Robert, and his sister, Madlyn.
Visiting Hours
Visiting hours Sunday, March 7, 3-8pm at McNamara-Sparrell Funeral Home, 1 Summer St (across from St Anthony's Church), Cohasset, MA.
In lieu of flowers, donations in John's memory may be made to Cohasset Elder Affairs for the New Building Fund for seniors.
Click for Map and DirectionsFuneral Mass
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, March 8, 2010 at 11 am in St. Anthony Church, Cohasset, MA.
Interment private for family.
Guestbook
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