LeRoy Dunwell Dies at 85 in House He Was Born In

LeRoy Raynor Dunwell, a native of Southampton Village, died on Dec. 7, 2011 in the house where he was born 85 years ago.

He was born to Percy and Edith Raynor Dunwell on Oct. 16, 1926. Known to everyone as “Pop Roy,” he was very kind and loved children. He had a nickname for everyone.

He was drafted into the army in 1944 at the end of World War II. He served in the army occupation in Korea until his discharge in 1946.

When he returned home he became active in the Long Island Beach Buggy Association with many of the local guys. He had many stories to tell of their escapades while riding on the local beaches with their jeeps and beach buggies.

In 1956 he married Cynthia Powell of Eastport. They met while she was a nursing student at the School of Nursing. They were married for 55 years.

Throughout his life he worked as a mechanic and welder. He had a passion for steam engines and would travel anywhere in the U.S. in pursuit of them. For many hears he drove steam engines in the . He also exhibited them at the annual Engine Run in Bridgehampton.

He is survived by his wife, Cynthia, and children Laurie Collins and her husband Jim of North Sea; Lee Dunwell and his companion Alison Froehlich and her son James Froehlich of Sagaponack; grandchildren James Collins III; Patrick Collins and his wife Chrissy; and Tara Ann Collins and great grandson Patrick Collins Jr.

He was predeceased by his sister, Dorothy Topping of Bridgehampton.
The family received friends on Sunday afternoon and evening at the in Southampton Villafge.

A funeral took place Monday at the with the Rev. Richard Boyer officiating. Interment followed at Southampton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to East End Disabilities Associates, Inc., 107 Roanoke Ave, Riverhead, NY 11901 or the First Presbyterian Church of Southampton would be appreciated by the family.