Obituary: John Oliver Roy, 92

WALLINGFORD, CT — (From Wallingford Funeral Home): John Oliver Roy came into this world in Springfield, MA, January 10, 1931, a bit of a belated Christmas present for his parents, Olympe and Isabelle Roy. He filled their days with energy and mischief as well as love and brilliance.

He spent his childhood summers in Maine with his best friend Jim Holland, and eventually moved to Pittsburgh with his parents. He was President of the Greater Pittsburgh Tri-Hi-Y in high school. He attended Duquesne University, where he met his lifelong love, Margaret (Peggy) Faison, in French class.

John attended Duquesne through ROTC and was President of the Duquesne University Pershing Rifles Military Society. He graduated in 1953 as a Distinguished Military Graduate and entered the army for 8 years.

Peggy and John married May 15, 1954, in Peggy’s hometown, where John napped until minutes before the ceremony, knowing it was just across the street from where he was staying. He maintained that cool cucumber attitude throughout most of his life, which earned him the respect and admiration of those who knew him. He didn’t flinch driving through pea-soup fog in Germany for the birth of his third child, he stayed calm getting his oldest son’s head out of the second story balcony railing – from the outside of the railing. Through stitches, broken bones, car accidents, and incurable diseases, John stayed cool.

Ever charismatic, despite speaking broken German at best, the German locals preferred to speak to Captain Roy rather than either of his two fluent Lieutenants - because, the locals said, “We understand his German better.” He didn’t really speak German, but that was John – affable, easy-going, friendly.

John’s family spent 3 years in Germany, and upon return to the U.S., he returned to civilian life and joined the Friendly corporation. Decades later he loved to point to his forearm muscle and claim it came from those years scooping ice cream. They wanted him in management, but he had other ideas. He became a realtor, later starting his own firm, John Roy Real Estate – which changed to Roy Real Estate and Insurance when Peggy received her insurance license.

A Certified Residential Specialist, his tag line read, “Nobody knows the neighborhood like a neighbor.” As everyone’s neighbor, he actively led many civic organizations, including being a Charter Member of the Yalesville Wallingford Lions Club, Chairman of the Red Cross, President of the Central CT Board of Realtors, Vice President of the Connecticut Board of Realtors, President of the Sheehan High Boosters, Cub Master, Boy Scout leader, and many others. He won numerous accolades, including the Red Cross Clara Barton Honor Award, Central Connecticut Realtor of the Year, and countless others. He also taught Real Estate at UCONN, Quinnipiac University, and through the Graduate Realtor Institute, teaching throughout New England, Arizona, and Pennsylvania.

An active member of Our Lady of Fatima Church, he ushered weekly and supported the many church carnivals with avid fundraising through the raffle. A super-fan of high school sports and music productions, he spent years on the “Chain Gang” running chains for the Sheehan football team. Long after his own children graduated high school, he continued to support the Sheehan High marching band, raising money for their trips. Their band leader and longtime friend, Mr. Fred Rossomando, created the “John Roy Award” given to that junior band member who showed the most dedication. Fred truly understood John’s personality and dedication.

John practiced real estate over 45 years until he retired at 78. He loved to tell tales on himself: stories of his crazy army days; playing jokes on the neighbors with his best friend, Charlie Murphy; teaching real estate classes and playing a game he created called “You Bet Your License”; attending his children’s and grandchildren’s countless ball games, recitals, birthday parties, graduations, and weddings. He enjoyed many trips with Peggy, cruises with their friends, and winter months in Florida with Peggy’s brother Bob and wife Jeanne. John and Bob enjoyed practical jokes, like the time they bought a ball at a baseball game and had everyone on the janitorial and restaurant staff sign it, then presented it to their brother-in-law Jim as an officially signed ball. Jim never had a clue. Dancing always reminds the family of John winning the dance contest with his daughter Judy to “Proud Mary.” We all thought dad’s dancing was rather hilarious, but apparently the judges found it mesmerizing. We’re sure it had something to do with that Chuck Barry skid across the dance floor. And if there was a UCONN basketball game on, particularly the girls, Dad’s hat would always be on sideways to ensure a win.

An avid HO gauge model train enthusiast, John’s 16 foot by 10-foot basement layout is the envy of all, young and old. It boasts dozens of hand-made buildings, 6 circular crisscrossing tracks, tunnels, neighborhoods, smoking engines, and puns galore. He spent years with the New Haven Model Railroad Club, displaying their modular layout at shows throughout New England.

John went to his eternal rest on May 22, 2023, with his loving wife and family by his side as they read bible passages, and God called him home in a peaceful transition. John will be missed by so many – his Dunkin’ buddies, Lions, Realtors, neighbors, family: by his children Tim (Sue) Roy, Judy (Ron) Ragaini, Kathy (Frank) Barboza, Greg (Laura) Roy and Mary Ellen (Ray) Renuart; his grandchildren J.R. (Greice) Roy, Christina Roy, Melissa (Jordan) Hickey, Bryan (Amy) Ragaini, Allen (Darcy) Roy, Shannon (Marcus) Rebersak, Austin (Suzanne) Himes and Taylor Barboza; his great-grandchildren Braydon, Addison, and Carter, and many grand-dogs and grand-cats, but most of all he will be missed by his loving and doting wife of 69 years, Peggy Roy. Godspeed.

For more information and to leave online condolences, visit Wallingford Funeral Home here.