It is with great sadness that the family of Leroy (Roy) Carl Stevens announces his passing on Sunday December 6th, 2009 at the age of 93 years.
Roy is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Winnifred Stevens, his sons Geoffrey (Barbara) Stevens and Murray (Geri) Stevens, his daughter Judy (Chris) Adcock, his brother Mervyn Stevens, his grandchildren Todd (Misti) Stevens, Lori (Mark) Unger, Shaun Stevens, Heather Stevens, Mark Adcock, Ben (Tina) Adcock, his great grandchildren Haily, Brady, Paige and Erin and his cat Missy. Roy is predeceased by his sisters Adelaide and Esther and brother Seymour.
Roy was born on May 10th, 1916 in Russell Manitoba, the fourth of five children. Roy enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941. He met and married his wife, Winnifred Frost , in 1942 at the age of 25 years. After only 10 days of wedded bliss, Roy flew overseas to serve for the Air Force. He was awarded The Distinguished Flying Medal in 1943, The Operational Wings of the R.C.A.F. in 1944, and permanently awarded The Pathfinder Force Badge in 1945. He was honourably discharged from service in October, 1945.
Over their married life, Roy and Winnie raised three children, Geoff, Murray and Judy. Roy's career journey was long and varied. Roy worked as a butcher in Russell, Manitoba until 1951. At this time he moved his family to Langenburg, Saskatchewan where he owned and operated a frozen food locker business until 1957. They packed up again and moved to Abbotsford where he began his career with Overwaitea Foods, transferring twice, to Terrace and to Powell River. In 1970, Roy changed careers to work for the BC Liquor Board and was transferred from Powell River to Vancouver and finally to Cranbrook. In 1981, at the age of 65, he retired in Cranbrook.
After retirement Roy and Winnie traveled extensively, enjoying European and exotic destinations. They arrived in Burns Lake in 1988. It was here that he lived for the last 22 years of retirement. In the Spring of 2008, Roy and Winnie moved into Tweedsmuir House where he enjoyed socializing with friends and planting and tending to his front garden.
Roy lived life to the fullest and enjoyed all the pleasures of the Lakes District. He loved carpentry and kept our houses in great repair. He enjoyed long walks through town, arm in arm with his sweetheart of 67 years. He loved time at his Lake Cottage on Babine Lake where he fished and gardened and built and renovated. He donated his time and talent of knitting to make life warmer and more comfortable for people in need. He made the best fudge you've ever tasted. - and we all awaited it every Christmas morning! Most of all, Roy enjoyed time with his family - his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was the most caring, thoughtful, kind, giving and patient man that you would ever meet. A real gentleman deserving of the respect and honour he was given by all who met him.
We will miss you - husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. Forever in our hearts and souls you will live on.