Richard Charles Roy, 84, of Ledyard, joined his wife and parents as he entered the Kingdom of Heaven on Saturday, August 12, 2023. Richard was born March 10, 1939 at home in Old Town, Maine, the third of four children to Joseph H. Roy and Cecelia Brooks Roy. He married Carol Meskiewicz, she preceded him in death.
French was his primary language until he entered elementary school where he learned to speak English and began his excellence in all future academics. He completed his education at the University of Maine in Orono with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering. Richard worked in Pittsburgh, PA before landing his career job at Electric Boat in Groton.
Along with his brother, Jim, he competed in many Soap Box Derby races, earning the title of Grand Champion in Derby Downs, 1951. Richard loved the outdoors and some of his favorite activities included wood cutting/carpentry, hunting, boating, fishing, golfing, softball, gardening, camping, barbequing, bowling, and puzzles. Richard, known as “Dick” to close friends and family, was very well known in his neighborhood for his awesome snow slides and snowball fights.
Loving to travel with his young family carried over to his early retirement with Carol. This afforded them the opportunity to visit many places, including spending more than fifteen winters in Vero Beach, Florida. During their time in Florida, he became an avid card player, ultimately challenging anyone who knew how to play cribbage.
Time spent with family was very precious to him and he affectionately became known as “Pappy the Great” and “Happy Pappy” to his great grandchildren. He will always be remembered for his generous spirit, his quirky sense of humor, and his love for his daughters. His caregiver, Zak, tended to and loved him and his dog Sebastian selflessly, becoming a large part of the family. They enjoyed friendly banter with one another. Zak jokingly referred to him as “old man” which always made Richard smile.
Besides his wife Carol, Richard was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Cecelia Roy, and his two sisters, Germaine and Rita. He is survived by his brother - Jim (Jeanne) Roy, his three daughters - Debbie (Wes) Gunter, Darcie (Dan) Flight, and Denise Roy, three stepdaughters - Lynda (Jim) McAuliffe, Lisa (Mike) McGee and Cheryl (Todd) Jackson, six grandchildren - Sarah (Josh) DeLeo, Samantha Rowley, Zachary (Denielle) Flight, Nicole Rowley, Benjamin (Ashton) Flight, and Jessica Rossman, nine great-grandchildren - Benjamin, Kayleigh, Nicolas, Melody, Michael, Alex, Shelby, Landon, and Jaxson, his faithful dog - Sebastian, and grand dog/buddy - Charlie - - - who will all miss him terribly, but look forward to being reunited with him in eternity.
Funeral Services will be held 12 Noon Saturday August 19, 2023 at Groton Bible Chapel, 66 Toll Gate Road in Groton.
Donations may be made in Richard’s memory to the Connecticut Advocates for Parkinson’s, 102 Pitkin Street, East Hartford CT 06108 or the National Kidney Foundation, 3000 Whitney Avenue #121, Hamden, CT 06518. The family thanks you in advance for your generosity.
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