James R. Roy

James R. “Pee-Wee” Roy, 89, of Gardner, died peacefully Saturday, August 10, 2024, in Quabbin Valley Healthcare, after a period of declining health.

Born in Gardner on October 11, 1934, he was the son of the late James W. and Marguerite (Ouellet) Roy. He graduated from Fitchburg High School with the Class of 1953. After graduating high school, James proudly enlisted in the United States Air Force, serving during the Korean Era from 1953 to 1957, where he received the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was an engineer employed by Simplex Time Recorder of Gardner for over 30 years until his retirement.

James was a parishioner of Annunciation Parish of Gardner, practicing at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church. He was a member of the American Legion Post 129 of Gardner, where he was a part of its honor guard, a member of the Gardner Chapter of AARP, and a past member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. In his younger years, James assisted with Lassie League Softball in 1976, where he was a coach and umpired youth baseball in the area. James and his wife loved going on cruises and spent many years traveling with various cruise lines to Mexico, Jamaica, and many islands. James spent many hours as a volunteer at the Gardner Senior Center. He loved playing cribbage, BINGO, and going to the casinos. He loved the outdoors, his gardens, and bird-watching, and he was an avid fisher and hunter. He also loved watching the Red Sox and the Patriots. 

James’ pride and joy was his family, treasuring all the time spent together.

James is survived by his two daughters, Tracey A. Roy, of Mechanicsburg, PA, and Terrie M. Berlo and her husband, James, of Brentwood, NH; two grandchildren, Jack and Heather; two great-grandchildren; his brother Raymond R. Roy; his sister, Georgette Rollins; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was predeceased by his wife of 55 years, Mary Ann (Pockevicius) Roy, who died in 2016; two brothers, Neil Roy of Leominster and Richard Roy of Swansea, New Hampshire; one sister, Winifred Millette, of Gardner. 

Graveside Services with Military Honors will be held Wednesday, October 02, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. in the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen Street, Winchendon, MA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the National Kidney Foundation, 30 East 33rd Street, New York, NY 10016, or on their website at (www.kidney.org). Donations can also be made to Saint Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or on their website (www.stjude.org). Please reference in memory of James R. Roy.