Roy Bernard MITCHELL

MITCHELL, The Honourable Mr. Justice Roy Bernard
Age 80 years, resident of Thunder Bay, died at home on Saturday August 5, 2006. Born in Toronto, son of Harry and Katharine Mitchell, Roy was raised and educated in Toronto attending St. Michael's High School and Malvern Institute. At age 17 ½ he was drafted into the U.S. Army and served overseas in the Infantry and Engineer's Corp. from 1945 until his honorable discharge in 1946. He returned home and obtained his B.A. from the University of Toronto. Roy sold real estate, general insurance and opened a BA service station in Toronto (Scarborough). In 1951 he was married to Joan Morris and together they had five children. In 1958 Roy started law school as a mature student and graduated in 1961 with his L.L.B. from Osgoode Hall. He was called to the Bar after articling with Best and Hornel Solicitors in Toronto. In 1964 the family moved to Thunder Bay and Roy joined Cheadle, Bryan and Mitchell spending 7 years there. In 1970 he joined the firm of Petrone, Hatherley and Mitchell working there until 1973 when he was called to the Bench, where he served as a Provincial Court Judge in the Criminal Court Division. He was later appointed as the Senior Regional Provincial Court Judge for Northwestern Ontario until his retirement in 1993. Roy was an Associate member of the Advocate Society, an Associate member of the Law Society of Thunder Bay, a member of the Branch #71 Legion in Duluth, Minnesota, a past volunteer for the Cancer Society, a member and Past President of the Fort William Country Club, and he always had a keen interest in all sports particularly golf, hockey and baseball and was a fan of spring training at Dunedin, Florida. Roy's first love was his family and they meant everything to him. He loved family gatherings and always loved to watch his grandchildren participate in their various sports endeavours and was truly their best fan. He is survived by his wife Betty (Mayotte) whom he married in 1997; children Mary Kay Skinner (Doug), Jim Mitchell (Cindy), Paul Mitchell (Ann), and Barbara Christie; grandchildren Terri-Lynn, Ken, Rob, and B.J. Skinner, Maureen and Donnie Mitchell, Roy, Matthew, Becky and Micheal Mitchell, Geoffrey, Jill, Scott and Bryan Christie, Michael and Krista Somppi; step children Deb Mayotte and John Mayotte (Michelle) and numerous other relatives. He was predeceased by his first wife Joan, his daughter Karen, and sister Marion. Funeral services will be held on Thursday August 10, 2006 when friends and family will gather for Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. in St. Patrick's Cathedral, celebrated by Rev. Alex Barrion. A private family interment will follow in Mountain View Cemetery. A Vigil prayer service will be held on Wednesday August 9th at 7:00 p.m. in St. Patrick's Cathedral. If friends desire, memorials to the Northern Cancer Research Foundation or the charity of your choice would be appreciated.