Gilbert Wilfrid Roy

1937 - 2021

Gilbert Wilfrid Roy

December 3, 1937 - July 23, 2021

Gilbert Wilfrid Roy, PhD, Beloved Teacher, Musician, United States Air Force Veteran, Linguist, Son, Brother, Spouse, Father, Grandfather, Uncle, and Friend, died from Hypovolemic Shock on Friday, July 23, 2021, at age 83, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Va.

Gil experienced many "firsts": On December 3, 1937, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, he became the firstborn son of Annette Frances Paul and Gideon Wilfrid Roy. He grew up in/around Chicopee, Mass., with three younger brothers, Richard P., Carl A. (deceased), and Bernard L. (deceased).

Surviving relatives mourning Gil's loss include his spouse, Virginia Dugdale Carr Roy; son, Garrett Wade Roy (Emily) in Houston; stepchildren, Margaret "Peggy" Ely (Kevin) York County, John A. Leake (Edith) Richmond; his brother, Richard Roy (Mary) San Diego; and grandchildren, Shane (Heather), Amanda, Samantha, Sydney, and Ani; PLUS many beloved, intelligent, and fun nieces, nephews and their children, His "adopted" daughters, Victoria and Olga plus his Best Friend Harry, cherish their time with him. Gil is also survived by former wife, Florence J. M. Roy and daughter, Julia D. R. Wilmer.

Raised by French Canadians, including a French-only speaking grandmother, he attended St Joan of Arc School that taught in French and English. With that background, learning other languages was "easy" for Gilbert. (Occasionally, a native Chinese mistook Gil's spoken Chinese on the phone as that of a Native Speaker.)

In 1972, the University of California-Berkeley "Gilbert Wilfrid Roy Proved his Ability by Original Research in Oriental Languages," earning a Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) - passing exams in five languages. At age 80, Gil began adding Farsi and Spanish to the 27 languages already studied.

"To teach is to touch a life forever" was Prof Roy's credo, as he accepted UVA's 1971 appointment to as its first full-time teacher of Chinese. He also advised undergrads as an Assistant Dean in the College of Arts and Sciences. (In 1986 thrugh 1988, he would join the first team of Resident Faculty members living in UVA's Brown [Residential] College at Monroe Hill. There he could prepare occasional Chinese dishes for students after walking home from work!)

Summer 1976 was a banner year! Gil was the translator for John Deere Executives - among the first Americans officially visiting Mainland China since World War II. (He now could add another chance to interact with native Chinese in their own space beyond his 1950's Taiwan AF assignment!)

That surprise trip had followed a year with the National Endowment for the Humanities – delivering funds for the first USA exhibition of The Xian Warriors in Kansas City, Kansas.

A firm believer in the phrase "the sea of learning has no shores", Gil was on leave in China for four years in the 1980s as a Fulbright Scholar studying Mongol in Mongolia and twice leading groups of American college students studying Chinese in Taiwan and China for C.I.E.E. (Council on International Educational Exchange).

When not teaching or parenting, poker with friends including fellow teachers occupied many evenings. A lifelong NASCAR fan, twice Gil drove non-stop to join his brother Carl at The Daytona 500. Whenever driving, his bass voice filled the air – practicing the SPEBSQSA four-part harmony pieces sung for over three decades with Charlottesville's Jefferson Land Chorus and two quartets: The Harmonizers and The Free Bridge Four.

Following retirement in January of 2003, Gilbert and Virginia traveled extensively (ultimately to Antarctica). He kept busy playing "Words with Friends" and chess on-line. It was no surprise that this former (paid) boy soprano soloist at Catholic funerals and weddings and (unpaid) bass in the Berkeley Chorus would join the Broadus Memorial Baptist Church's Senior Choir. When not at the Jefferson Madison Regional Library Northside Branch drive-up window, he was at the [Senior] Center, chairing the Golfers' Group and Chess Club, singing with the "Still Sharp Singers" and "Barbershop Belles & Beaux" – and recently had begun dueling with Sam on their 4-string banjos.

For decades, weekly golf with Harry was sacrosanct!

THANKS to every staff member in the TCV-ICU of University of Virginia Medical Center for their respectful, post-op care despite being unable to converse with "Gil the man" during his 12 days in their care. CHEERS to the U.Va. Hospital Information Desk staff!

Recalling Gilbert Roy's life and interests has generated a desire among many to connect and share their memories. Despite COVID-19's challenges to "normal", we hope you will join us in sharing through: https://www.forevermissed.com/gilbert-w-roy/about

On-Line or otherwise, please remember Gil by supporting those he supported, Doctors Without Borders, USA, P.O. Box 5030, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5030, Friends of The Jefferson Madison Regional Library, 1500 Gordon Ave., Charlottesville VA 22903-1916, or The Center at Belvedere, 540 Belvedere Blvd., Charlottesville, VA 22901-3215.

Cremation Society of Virginia was in charge of arrangements.