Joseph R. Roy

KENNEBUNK – Joseph R. Roy, 99, of Kennebunk, formerly of Winslow, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family and caregivers, on Feb. 13, 2025, after a courageous battle with heart disease. Joe or (Chubby as known to many) was born on Jan. 25, 1926, in Waterville, the son of the late Paul and Mary Roy. His 76 years of marriage to Shirley H. Roy formed an everlasting bond that was often celebrated with family and friends throughout their loving years together. Likewise, celebrating their 99th birthdays in January was an amazing recognition of their loving lives together and reminder of how fortunate their extended family has been.

Joe attended Winslow High School, graduating in 1944. He entered the Armed Services in 1944 and was a decorated Staff Sergeant in the Second World War II having served in the 11th Armored Division, 3rd Army under General Patton until his Honorable Discharge in 1946.

After WWII Joe attended the Coburn Classical Institute in Waterville, Maine and the New England Technical Institute in Providence, R.I. Joe became an accomplished radio station engineer servicing Lewiston and Augusta radio stations as well as Maine based airport beacons.

He began his career at Twin City Communications (WCOU) in Lewiston, Maine and next at Capitol Communications WFAU/WKCG in Augusta, Maine where he served the greater Augusta community with technical support in many sporting and public service events to include historic boxing matches, concerts at the Augusta Civic Center and High School sporting contests until his retirement in 1991.

While Joe’s working career enabled him to meet and provide service to many community members, his family of ten grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren and friends will remember him for his compassionate interest in their lives. Joe was particularly interested in their personal and educational growth. “Grampy” especially impacted his grandchildren including his great grandchildren. They loved him and he loved them. He even made it a point to attend children and family sporting activities and performances, always offering tons of encouragement. Likewise, his inquiries of each person he met reflected his indelible memories of them, and he always asked about how others and their children were doing. Joe also impacted friends of the family, leading them to comment that their lives have been changed for the better having known Joe and Shirley all of these years.

Throughout his life and particularly after his retirement, Joe loved enjoying the outdoors, especially Moosehead Lake, where he and his brothers Harold and Bob had a fishing camp on Lily Bay and enjoyed each others’ camaraderie and antics for many years. After Harold and Bob passed on, Joe continued to share his love for the camp with family members including his son Mickey and daughters Patti, Cindi and Donna and their spouses. In particular, Joe enjoyed fishing with Harold’s and Bob’s sons and Mickey. For Joe, fishing was equally important to just hanging out with the boys, and these occasions were some of the most memorable times in his life. He loved their personalities and the non stop gut wrenching laughter that their conversations evoked. The subsequent retelling of tales double-downed this humor with creative poetic embellishment.

Joe also loved Shirley’s “Phair” side of the family where he enjoyed the many years of family gatherings and relished the friendships he made with Shirley’s brothers, sisters, spouses and children.

Joseph is survived by his wife Shirley H. Roy of Kennebunk, Son Michael (Mick) Roy (Lauren) of North Yarmouth, Maine, Daughters Patti Butler of Naples, Florida, Cindi Cooper (Bill) of Venice, Florida, and Donna Dierkes (Lee) of Wells, Maine.

He was preceded in death by parents Paul Roy and Mary Roy of Winslow, Maine, brothers Harold, Bob, Norman, Kenneth, and sisters Geraldine, and Lorraine, and many dear relatives.

Joe was a devoted grandfather to Jami Bartlett-Rosario (Jose), Kristi Bartlett (Alex Hernandez), Lyndsay Winger (Justin), Brianna Deroche (Christopher), Kayla Roy (Tai Burgess), Julia Maturo (Joey), Greg Cooper (Jenn), Tim Cooper (Katelyn), Alayna Kelly (Sean), and Elyse Dierkes.

His great grandchildren include: Camdyn Rosario, Cassidy Rosario, Logan Dostie, Connor Deroche, Caroline Deroche, Jackson Burgess, Layla Maturo, Avery Cooper, Sadie Cooper, Bryce Cooper, Mason Cooper, Mylie Cooper, Skylar Cooper, Rosie Kelly.

A future celebration will be planned for the Summer of 2025. His ashes will be placed at the Maine Veterans Cemetery in Augusta in the Spring/Summer of 2025.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: Amanda Worth, Office Manager

Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery System,

143 Blue Star Avenue,

Augusta, Maine 04330,

or donate to the charity or foundation of your choice.