Roy Tansy

1934 - 2021

Roy Jake Tansy was born in Valdez Creek (C'ilaan Na', "abundant game creek") in a tent March 16, 1934. He was the second born child of Jake and Lily Tansy after his sister, Jane. Roy was blessed to have four younger siblings, Alfred, Louise, Helga and Ruby. Roy talked about the fact that they helped their dad build the house in Cantwell (Yedatene Na, "River behind the mountain"). He said he was 8 years old the first time he lived in a house. Until then, they lived between Valdez Creek, Cantwell and Brushkana.
He talked fondly about the years he played hockey while in school. He grew up hunting moose, caribou, sheep, bear and fishing. He loved to tell stories of trips into the mountains around Cantwell. Roy will be fondly remembered for all the stories of his youth. Roy's best friend growing up was Eric Carlson. They were each other's best men at their weddings, and Roy loved visiting with Eric and talking to him in his Ahtna language.
As an adult, Roy became a heavy equipment operator and was a proud member of Operator's Local 302. He helped build the road from Cantwell to Denali National Park and the Park Road. His favorite heavy equipment was the crane. But he was seen often on backhoes and bulldozers.
Roy was 33 when he met the love of his life! Irene Widmark was going to UAF at the same time as Roy's sister, Ruby. Roy would come to Fairbanks to visit and would take Ruby and Irene to dinner. He started asking her to marry him right away.
For a year Irene thought he was joking. One day she realized he was serious :)
She told him that he needed to ask her dad, and they were married five months later June 1, 1968.
After the birth of their daughter, Carmel Lillian, and son, Roy Jake Jr., Roy decided to further his education. He earned an Associate's Degree in accounting at Sawyer Business College in Los Angeles, California, in 1974. After a brief time, Roy returned to heavy equipment operating and helped build the pipeline. It was during these years that their youngest son, Douglas Alan, was born. Roy later worked for Alyeska as a P&CM pump station manager. He worked there until he retired in 2002.
Roy was active in the Native community fighting for their rights. He was the first president of the Cantwell Alaska Native Brotherhood. Roy served on boards such as Fairbanks Native Association and Tanana Chiefs Conference Board before ANCSA. He was a Doyon board member soon after ANCSA. He served on the Cantwell SVO ever since Cantwell merged with Ahtna. Roy was Ahtna president while Ahtna settled with Alyeska over the use of Ahtna lands. He was on the Ahtna Heritage Foundation as an Elder Advisor. Roy later served as an Ahtna board member for many years working for the betterment of all Native peoples and their lands.
Roy lived a life of adventure and constant activity. He was invited to the White House under President Ford ... worked 365 days straight one year ... went on a trip of a lifetime to Japan with his wife Irene for their 40 year anniversary ... worked in every corner of Alaska ... went to the Superbowl with his son, Douglas, when he was 80 ... ate at the top of the World Trade Center ... has been on the floor at Wall Street ... drove at least 17 roundtrips on the AlCan and was living and working in Dallas when President Kennedy was shot. Roy had a dream of becoming a pilot.
One day he came home and told Irene he had bought a plane. He would then earn his pilot's license. Because Roy was flying, Irene had to learn too. Roy flew actively with Civil Air Patrol in Gulkana. He spent countless hours flying around the state of Alaska to see family or even just to enjoy a piece of pie.
Roy and Irene loved people! They had a deep sense of love for their family and cultural traditions. It was often said, wherever they traveled anywhere in the world, they would see a longtime friend. After 40 years of marriage, Irene died in a tragic accident in 2009. Roy forever felt this loss. He then realized his greatest hope to see Irene again was to follow Jesus. He became a beloved active member of Hamilton Acres Baptist Church.
Roy was blessed with the love of his growing family as Carmel married Doug Read.
Their seven kids adored both Grandpa and Grandma Tansy. Roy Jr. married Martha and has a daughter, Elli. She loves the things Grandpa Tansy loved, for example, hunting, being outdoors and love of culture. Douglas married Kristine and blessed Grandpa Tansy with five wonderful grandkids. Grandpa Tansy spent the last five years of his life living with Douglas and his family in Fairbanks. It was a happy arrangement, and he enjoyed his family! Those five years were filled with lots of adventures and precious times hearing Grandpa's stories, life lessons and encouragement.
Roy was a big guy. He had a heart, love and personality that matched. What he did, he did big. Jan. 10, as Roy deteriorated from COVID-19, his family was making preparations to bring him home under Hospice care. He was glad to hear he was going home and went straight to heaven instead. As we mourn the big loss in our lives, we can only imagine the huge celebration he is having with Irene, his parents, his brother Alfred, his sister Ruby, his grandson Josiah, and all his friends and family that have gone before!
Viewing will be 4-7 p.m. Jan. 15 at Hamilton Acres Baptist Church, 138 Farewell Ave., with a service to follow. A final visitation, service and burial will be noon to 3 p.m. Jan. 17 in Cantwell.
Please visit blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com to leave a note, memory or picture.