Roy A. McKie Jr.

Roy McKie, a talented cartoonist illustrator of books and magazines, died on January 8th, 2015 in New Holland, Pennsylvania. He was 93.

Roy McKie worked for book publishers, major magazines, and advertising agencies in NYC from the 1960's until the 1990's. He was best known as a children's book illustrator working with Dr. Seuss. Publishers that he worked with were: Random House, Workman, Simon and Schuster, Crown, Clarkson N. Potter, Price/Stern/Sloan, McGraw-Hill, Western, Harper-Collins, and Little, Brown. He illustrated many books written by Theodore Seuss Geisel(Dr. Seuss/ Theo. LeSieg). Those books include, Ten Apples Up On Top, In a People House, Would You Rather Be A Bullfrog?, The Tooth Book(1981), The Eye Book (1968), I Can Write, and My Book About Me. Other children's books that Roy McKie illustrated were: The Nose Book by Al Perkins(1970), Bennett Cerf's Animal Riddles by Bennett Cerf, Summer by Alice Low, A Big Ball of String by Marion Holland, and Snow by P.D. Eastman.

Roy McKie also illustrated humorous books with Henry Beard on the subjects of Skiing, Sailing, Computing, Golfing, Cooking, Fishing, and Ship's Log among many other books. Roy's illustrations and Henry's printed humor were featured on items such as mugs, calendars, shirts, aprons, plaques, and trays as they worked for Workman Publishing.

Roy McKie was born in Medford, MA and attended Vesper George School of Art. While he was at Vesper George, he won the prestigious prize "Prix de Rome". Because of WWII, it wasn't possible for Roy to go to Rome for further study. Instead, Roy was given the privilege of attending the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation on Long Island, NY.

Then Roy worked in a commercial art studio in Boston. He married his first wife, Lois, and they had two children. Roy worked at N.W. Ayer advertising in Philadelphia. There, among other jobs, Roy did some humorous drawings titled, "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman" for the Ladies Home Journal.

For a short time Roy lived and worked in London. One of the books that Roy illustrated in London was Melisande, with Marjorie Sharp, inspired by Julie Andrews and her dog, published in 1960. During that time, Roy was interviewed by the B.B.C. television. After his return, a divorce took place, and he moved to NYC where he freelanced.

In 1963, at an art opening at the NY Society of Illustrators, Roy met June Reynard, an artist doing fashion, story illustration, and portraits. They married in 1964, shared an art studio, lived in Greenwich Village, and traveled throughout the world between jobs.

Roy is survived by his wife, June Reynard McKie, and his children from his first marriage, Todd McKie(Judy Kensley McKie) and Sara McKie Coar (Lance). Additionally, Roy is survived by two grandsons, and two great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by three brothers, his first wife, Lois, and one grandson.

Memorial contributions in Roy's name can be made to the public library of your choice. A private memorial service will be held in the future.