Announcement of Death
Winthrop — Joseph Norman Roy, affectionately known as Norm, died peacefully, surrounded by his loving wife of 56 years, Joyce (Gaillardet) Roy, at his side on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Togus VA Medical Center. He was 78 years old.
Biography
Born April 12, 1946, in Madawaska, Maine, Norm was the dear son of the late Leonard and Lucille (Hodgson) Roy. A proud graduate of Madawaska High School, he shortly thereafter joined the United States Army and honorably served his country during the Vietnam War as a field radio repairman with the Army Security Agency. After serving in the military, Norm found a loving relationship and a home in Joyce, leading his family to settle in Maine. He spent 27 years of his career working as a quality control engineer for Digital Equipment and later at Cooper Manufacturing in Brunswick until he retired in 2008.
Hobbies
Norm was a gentle soul, very much loved by his family, and had an absolute adoration for his grandchildren. He loved the outdoors, engaging in activities such as hunting, fishing, golfing, bowling, gardening, and even building birdhouses. His involvement in HAM radios led him to the Emergency HAM Radio Network and the Amateur Radio Emergency Service (ARES), culminating in his Sunday evening ritual to join the “net.” Norm was also active with the Winthrop Lions Club and was a fourth-degree member of the Knights of Columbus, where he participated in both the Winthrop and Gardiner Councils. Additionally, he was a member of American Legion Post 40 in Winthrop. In many ways, Norm’s legacy of service and camaraderie endures among those he loved.
Loved Ones
Survived by loving family members include his wife of 54 years, Joyce; sons, Matthew L. Roy and his wife, Vanessa, and Benjamin M. Roy and his wife, Vanessa; grandchildren, Camdyn, Isaiah, Rorie, and Gracelynn; brother, Fernand Roy, and his wife, Gloria; one niece; three nephews; three stepbrothers; and two stepsisters. He was predeceased by his parents and his stepmother, Aline (Bois) Roy.
Memorial Services
A funeral Mass to celebrate Norm’s life will be held on Thursday, October 17, at 12:00 p.m. at St. Francis Xavier Church, 20 Lake St., Winthrop. His burial with military honors will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Blue Star Ave., Augusta. All friends and family are invited to attend.
Closing Thoughts
The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to Shirlie Ortiz, the staff at Pinnacle Health and Rehab in Canton, the nursing staff at Patriots Place, Togus Springs, and the Recreation staff at Togus VA Medical Center for all the care and compassion they provided to Norm. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert’s Funeral Home and Cremation Care, 62 Bowdoin St., Winthrop. Sympathy messages and memories can be shared on the memorial page of Robert’s Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, donations in Norm’s memory may be made to PALS Animal Rescue in East Winthrop or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
