Paul Roylance

Roylance, Paul
ALBANY - Everyone who knew Paul Roylance said that he had the biggest heart. Unfortunately, that heart, which touched so many people, finally gave out and Paul passed away on May 8, 2023, at Albany Medical Center after a prolonged battle with heart disease. He was surrounded by his loving family, who stood by him until the end.
Paul was born on December 15, 1956, in Albany to the late William W. Roylance Sr. and Julia Merolle Roylance. He is survived by his beloved wife of 44 years, Christine Bamberger Roylance; and his children, Joshua Roylance and his wife Margaret, Michael Roylance and his wife Alexis, and John Roylance and his wife Carrie. To his grandchildren, Maeve, Declan, Thomas, Eleanor, Mallory, Aria, and Harrison, he was known as Papi. He was an adoring grandfather and nothing gave him greater joy than spending time with them.
Paul is also survived by his brothers, William W. Roylance Jr. and his wife Mary, and Wayne Roylance and his wife Alla. He was predeceased by his brother, Scott Roylance. Paul also leaves behind many loving family members, including in-laws and cousins, as well as countless friends who will miss him dearly.
Paul attended Cardinal McCloskey High School, graduating in 1975, and went on to earn his degree from Siena College in 1979. He had a long and successful career in the grocery food industry, working for the Grand Union Company and ESM/Ferolie Food Brokerage.
Paul had a deep passion for sports, particularly the Boston Red Sox and Pittsburgh Steelers. Paul's other passions included playing golf, setting up a wine cellar, throwing a ball to his beloved chocolate labs, Sophie and Champ, sunsets, vacationing in Maine and travel. One of his favorite travel memories was sitting with his wife Chris at a cafe in Venice's St. Mark's Square relaxing and watching other tourists interact with the pigeons. There were some musicians playing at the cafe, and he asked them if they knew the song "Moondance" by Van Morrison. To his surprise, they did and they played it for him and Chris.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the wonderful doctors, nurses, and therapists at Albany Medical Center and Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital for their tireless efforts in caring for Paul. They also extend special thanks to Dr. Kevin Woods, Dr. Ananthakrishnan Ramani, Dr. Heather Stahura, Dr. Andrew Macina, Dr. Khoa Ngo, Dr. Alexandra Paul, Liz Tenney-Domanski, NP, Dr. Andrew Coates, Alex Andres, NP, Dr. Nicole Diaz-Segarra, Dr. Abigail Belasen, Dr. Loay Salman, Rob Saba, Dr. Theodore Hausler, and his nurse Amy.
Paul was in many ways a larger-than-life figure. He was boisterous at times and always the life of the party, but the thing that people most remember about Paul was not his "big" personality, but his kindness and thoughtfulness. Until the end, he cared more about what was happening to his family than to what was happening to him. William Wordsworth wrote that the best portion of a good man's life was "his little nameless unremembered acts of kindness and love." That would certainly apply to Paul. No one who met him could ever forget him, and for that, we can be thankful, for he will not be forgotten. There will always be a part of him in our hearts and part of us will always be with him. Yes, he will be missed, but he is not gone.
Calling hours will be held from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 17, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. Following the calling hours, there will be an informal celebration in Paul's honor held at O'Toole's Restaurant Pub of Albany Backroom 1814 Central Ave., Colonie.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Paul's name to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York or the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Northeastern New York.