Obituary of Yoland Joseph Roy

Yoland Joseph Roy passed away peacefully on January 8, 2024, at the Dr. Everett Chalmers Hospital, Fredericton, New Brunswick. Born on December 18, 1942, he was the son of the late Edgar and Hedweidge (Doucet) Roy.

Born in Newcastle, New Brunswick, Yoland, at the age of 5 and his little brother, Ronnie, age 2, contracted TB and were sent to be cared for at the Saint John Tuberculosis Hospital for over 3 years. Dad said that was the first-time modern medicine saved his life.

After graduating high school, Yoland went to teachers’ college and graduated in 1964. He taught at the high schools in Hartland and Bathurst, finally settling in Fredericton where he became a fixture at Albert Street Junior High School as a teacher, coach (primarily photography, soccer and volleyball), and in his later years, as a mentor with the partners for youth program. After retiring, he still found time to coach, mentor, and tutor children. He would also go on to serve as vice president at the School Days Museum, a site dedicated to preserving items relating to the history of public education in New Brunswick.

While in Hartland, Yoland met a lovely young lady from New Zealand, Sylbie Powley. They were a match from the start, and went on to marry and start a family. He was so proud of his children, grandchildren and great grandson.

To say Yoland was called to the outdoors would be an understatement. He excelled at all things in the fresh air: canoeing, camping, fishing, hunting, bird watching, golf, and above all things, skiing fresh powder! He was truly at his best when he could see the sky.

Yoland was an accomplished woodworker, and made most of the furniture in the house. When he replaced the backdoor at the family home many years ago, he refused to throw it away. Rather, he stripped the paint and stored it for a “future project”. That project surfaced 5 years ago when his daughter started working as a funeral director and he was inspired to use that wood to make Sylbie’s and his urns. A fitting repository for this amazing man.

Yoland will be missed by his wife, of 57 years, Sylbie; children, Michelle Edey (Dan), Geoffrey Roy, and Tanya Roy; grandsons, Christopher Edey (Alicia Bergman) and Matthew Edey (Megan); great grandson, Ezra Edey; siblings, Raymond Roy (Sue), Thelma Roy (Barry Hayward), Annette Moore (Stephen), and Paul Roy (Elsa); his best 4-legged friend, Milly, as well as many friends, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In addition to his parents, Yoland was predeceased by his brother, Ronnie.

A celebration of Yoland’s life will be held at McAdam’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 from 2:00 to 5:00 pm, with tributes at 2:30 pm.  A live stream will be available for those unable to attend during the tributes at this link, https://vimeo.com/event/4007138. Interment will take place in the St. Anthony’s Catholic Cemetery later in the summer.

For those who wish, donations made to the School Days Museum in Yoland’s memory would be appreciated by the family.