ROY A. McKIE Jr.

McKie, Roy A. 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 many book publishers, major magazines, and advertising agencies in New York City from the 1960's until the 1990's. He was best known as a children's book illustrator working with Dr. Seuss. Some publishers that he worked with were: Random House Publishing, Workman Publishing Company, Simon and Schuster, Crown Publishers, Clarkson N. Potter, Price/Stern/Sloan, McGraw-Hill, Western Publishing, Harper-Collins Publishing, and Little, Brown, and Company. Roy McKie illustrated many books written by Theodore Seuss Geisel (Dr. Seuss, also known by the pen name of Theo. LeSieg). Some of the Dr. Seuss and Theo LeSieg books that were illustrated by Roy McKie, include, Ten Apples Up On Top, In a People House, Would You Rather Be A Bullfrog?, The Tooth Book(1981 edition), The Eye Book (1968 edition), I Can Write, and My Book About Me, by Me Myself. Other children's books that Roy McKie illustrated were: The Nose Book by Al Perkins(1970 edition), Bennett Cerf's Animal Riddles and Riddles and More 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 Beard's printed humor were featured on items such as mugs, calendars, shirts, aprons, plaques, and trays as they worked for Workman Publishing Company through many years. Roy McKie was born in West Medford, MA and he attended the former Vesper George School of Art on what is now the campus of Boston University. While he was at Vesper George, he won the prestigious prize of the "Prix de Rome". Since World War II had begun, it wasn't possible for Roy to be sent to Rome for further study. In substitution for the lost opportunity to study in Rome, Roy was given the privilege of attending the Louis Comfort Tiffany Foundation on Long Island, NY. After art school, Roy worked in a commercial art studio in Boston. He married his first wife, Lois, and they had two children. The family moved to Bucks County, PA and lived there while Roy worked at N.W. Ayer & Son advertising agency in Philadelphia. There, among many other illustrating jobs, Roy did some humorous drawings under the title, "Never Underestimate the Power of a Woman" for the Ladies Home Journal. Roy moved to Connecticut, after a painful divorce, and then on to New York City. For many years Roy worked as a freelance artist in New York City. During this time, an artist's agent tempted Roy in another direction, and 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, Shy, and published in 1960. During that time, Roy McKie was interviewed by the B.B.C. television. In 1963, Roy's agent took him to an art opening at the NY Society of Illustrators, where he met June Reynard, a freelance artist doing fashion and story illustration and oil portraits. They married in 1964, shared an art studio, and lived in Greenwich Village. Roy and his wife, June, enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the world and the United States. In all of their travels, they especially appreciated libraries, museums, and art galleries. Roy is survived by his wife, June Reynard McKie, and his children from his first marriage, Todd McKie (wife Judy Kensley McKie) and Sara McKie Coar (husband Lance). His son, Todd McKie and his wife Judy Kensley McKie are also well-known artists. 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.