Donald Joseph Roy, age 71 of Middleville, MI passed away at Pennock Hospital in Hastings on Monday, June 20, 2011. He was born in South Norwalk, CT on January 29, 1940 son of Louis and Alice (LeTarte) Roy. He attended St. Mary Magdalen, Holy Redeemer, and Melvindale High School. He joined the Navy right out of school where he served as a Seamans Apprentice on the USS Tulare. He was honorably discharged on March 12, 1958. After the Navy he achieved his PGA membership and was the assistant head-pro under Ron Laparl at Battle Creek Country Club. On December 2, 1967 he was married to Clara Jean Shorter in Battle Creek, MI. Don retired from Meijers Distribution Center as a Hi-Lo Maintenence Superintendent in 2001. Don was involved in so many things, as a young boy he enjoyed being a stickboy for the Detroit Redwings, during the Gordie Howe Era. He was always actively involved in the Youth Athletics, establishing HYAA in 78-79, which is still an active organizations for Hastings Youth today. This was his single greatest accomplishment outside of his children and grandchildren. Don loved the game of golf, he enjoyed teaching and playing, after retirement he enjoyed being an advisor to the operations of Mulberry Fore Golf Course. Don is survived by his children's mother, Clara Roy of Nashville, MI, Charlie - Moose (Abbie) Roy, Alice - SiTun' (Shawn) Gahan, Paul - Boomer (Mary) Roy, Jeannette - GiGi (Doug) Healy, all of Middleville. Brother-in-laws: Edward Shorter and Kenny (Rosie) Shorter of Battle Creek. Lastly his Pride and Joy: Holly, Erik, Jalyn, Mitchell (Kaylie), Cole, Logan, Andrew (Nicole), Alexander, Ashley and Austin. Being the 7th of the 7th of the 7th son, there are many more relatives and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents: Louis and Alice Roy, brothers: Normand Ulric, Normand Maurice, (surviving Eleanor) Paul Emile, Robert, Paul Jean and Joseph Edward (surviving Rosemary) and one grandson, Joshua Paul Roy.
Visitation:
Thursday, June 25, 2011, 6-8 pm
Girrbach Funeral Home
Rosary:
Friday, June 24, 2011, 11:00 am
Girrbach Funeral Home
Funeral Mass:
Saturday, June 25, 2011, 11:00 am
St Rose of Lima Church
805 S. Jefferson
Hastings, MI 49058
Celebrant: Fr. Richard Altine
Interment:
Mt. Calvary Cemetery
Hastings, Michigan
Memorial Contributions:
Ann Arbor Veterans Hospital
2215 Fuller Rd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
American SIDS Institute
528 Raven Way
Naples, FL 34110.
