Passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by his family on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 of London at the age of 76. Cherished husband of Donna (Mills) McRoberts for over 38 years. Proud dad of his twins Steve (Michelle), and Shelly (Tracey and Barb) and step-dad of Larry, Patti (Don), and Tammie (Rick). Adored Papa Roy of Shane, Ashley, Jamie, Andrew, Codey, Tyler, Curtis, Hailey, Randy, Ronnie, and Jack and great-papa of Lexi. Dear brother and brother-in-law of Bob McRobert, Clare and Deb McRobert, Jim and Gail McRobert, and Ruth Ann and Ken Doak. Fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Charlie and Florence (Thomson) McRobert, sister-in-law Lynn McRobert, and step-son Mark.
Roy, who was also affectionately known as โthe Beastโ was many things throughout his life; from growing up on the farm, he moved on to become a proud member of the elevator union Local 90 for much of his working life. He bought a Freightliner dump truck in 1987 and operated McRoberts Trucking for many years hauling gravel and was always willing to help anyone. He could also run a backhoe like nobodyโs business. His personality was larger than life; he was the first one to show up to a party and the last one to leave. He was a great dancer, loved a good joke and always wore a smile. Roy loved everyone, and everyone loved Roy. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him and deeply missed.
Visitation will be held at Haskett Funeral Home, 223 Main Street, LUCAN on Saturday, March 2nd from 2 โ 5 PM.
Royโs funeral service will be held at Villages United Church, GRANTON on Sunday, March 3rd at 2 PM. Interment Granton Cemetery.
Donations to ANAF Unit 393 London would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Dave and Beth Studnicka
Our sincere sympathy to you all. Roy was such an amazing man. We first met him many years ago in London when Jimmy introduced us. Our kids werenโt very old. I remember Roy asking our daughter what she had in her pocket. She replied nothing. He quickly slipped a five dollar bill in her pocket and said well you canโt have an empty pocket. She was so thrilled Iโm sure he made friends no matter where heโd go. I ran into Roy in Wallacburg at the gas station when he was working with his truck there. You could just tell that heโd quickly made friends with the employees there. The man that worked there was surprised that I knew him. He said they looked forward to him coming in. He always made them laugh. The employee at the gas station asked me one day how Roy was doing as he had finished his job in Wallaceburg Roy you were a wonderful man and friend to all. Jimmy and Gail i know much you loved Roy and that his passing will leave a huge void in your lives. Our condolences to you Donna and family. May time help to heal all your hearts. Sincerely Dave and Beth Studnicka. Vera Studnicka .
Cheryl McNaughton
Donna, Bob, Claire, Jim, Ruth Ann, spouses and families
Itโs been a pleasure to have known Roy throughout the years. We were fortunate to sit with Donna and Roy at a wedding recently and it was great catching up on all of the family and share a few laughs.
We have always considered the Mc Robert crew as family and are so sorry for your loss.
Cheryl (Gricken) and Randy McNaughton.
Hazel and Nelson Mills
Donna and Family, McRoberts Family sending deepest sympathy and prayers at this sad time. Thinking of you all and remembering all the fun times.
Jeanette & Dave
May our thoughts and condolences be with you at this of sorrow
Don & Sharon Colbert
Sorry for your loss. Roy will be missed. He had a distinctive laugh, which will be missed.
John and Diane DeBlock
Our sincere condolences to Donna and family. Roy always brings a smile to my face anytime I think of him. The many times we attended the junior farmers dances when we were kids, playing baseball in Granton and having a few shuffleboard games at the Central Hotel in Lucan. Too many fond memories to keep on going but we miss him dearly and how much of it was a pleasure to know him.
RIP Roy.
Helli Heitzmann
My sincerest condolences to Roy’s family. I bowled with Roy for a number of years on in the CNRA league. He was good bowler, enjoyed life and fun to compete against.
Joe and Pat Glavin
To the McRoberts Family,
So sorry to hear of Roy’s passing.
Our sincere condolences to the entire McRoberts family.
Joe and Pat Glavin
Rick&Linda Clare
So very sorry aunt Donna.
Please let us know if there is anything we can help you with.
TIM C RYAN
The McRoberts family.
We have lost a great man and a true Gentleman,
We all need more Roy’s in our lives.
Tim
Sandra Brintnell
Donna and family,
We are sending are condolences. So sorry to hear of Roy passing. Roy always had a smile, he could always make us laugh. Hang on to those great memories.
Sandi and Rob
Judy Alce
To the McRobert Family
Sorry to hear about Roy. My thoughts & prayers are with all of you during this sad & difficult time.
Judy Alce
Bill &Shirley Bannerman
Our condolences to you Donna, Shelly, Steven and the McRobert family. Roy was friendly and jovial, a fun and helpful man. Sorry for your loss.
Billie and Glenn Counsell
Glenn and I are so sorry to learn of Roy’s passing. Our sincere condolences to Donna, Bob and the entire family and friends. Sorry we can’t be there.
Fred & Sharon (Hodgins) Mardlin
To the entire McRobert family
We are so sorry to hear of Royโs passing. He was a big man with a kind heart and a gentle soul. I have known Roy since starting school. Several have mentioned he was a good dancer and I will attest to that. Roy was my dance partner when we learned to square dance at Whalen School many years ago. Royโs larger than life personality and hearty laugh will be missed by all who knew him. Cherish your memories of Roy. Our condolences to all.
Steve and Amy McRoberts and family.
My Heart is broken for Donna, Steve, Shelly and the rest of the family. Roy was always smiling and ready to laugh. God speed Uncle Roy ๐
BASIL A SAULNIER
Never a good time to say good bye. Worked with Roy throughout the years. we shared a few beers and lots of laughs.
Marlene and Joe French
Donna and McRoberts family,
Our sincerest condolences to everyone as you mourn the loss of someone so unforgettable as Roy. Despite all the fun and shenanigans, his heart was big and he would do anything for those he loved. We will miss the โBeastโ driving by and his โhelloโ honk. Savour the memories. There are many.
Marlene and Joe French
Carole Damen
Roy was part of the kids at the Whalen school. We spent many hours on the baseball fields at recess. Those were the good old days. My condolences to his family
Kelly and Rose O'Connor
Roy and I go back to childhood, a great fella and good friend, many a fond memory of mischief done. He knew how to party and did it hard. Fun times for sure. My sincere condolences to the entire McRoberts clan although it’s been many decades since we saw each other last. Very sorry that I will be out of town for the visitation and funeral.
Larry & Joanne Glavin
Donna, family & the entire McRoberts family.
So sorry to hear of Royโs passing. He worked & played hard. He loved life & lived it. Know he will be so greatly missed.
Our Condolences. Thinking of you all.
Francine and Fred Kline
We were blessed to have Roy and Donna as our neighbors and friends, Each year we could not wait for them to come back to Florida along with Ruth Ann and Ken, fun time were had by all. Our heart breaks for this families loss, and we will miss them dearly.
Love you all.
RIP Roy
Fred and Francine Kline
Brian and Julia Hartwick
Sorry to hear of your passing Roy .Will be missed with big personality.Rip
Debbie Glavin
To Aunt Donna and family
So very sorry to hear about Roy. Thinking of you all.
Debbie (Miฤบlson) Glavin and Rod Morrison
Sandra & Larry Hern
Dear Donna and all of Roy’s family,
We were saddened to read of Roy’s passing. He was certainly a unique and unforgettable man. Larry attended the Whalen Corners one room school with Roy and marvelled that when Roy had had enough learning in Grade 1 for the day, he would climb out the window and walk home! I had the pleasure of being part of the Edgewood Junior Farmers Square Dance Group, and Roy was a big part of why we came in 3rd for all of Ontario in 1970! He was a great dancer, with a great laugh and so light on his feet!
He will certainly be well remembered and missed by all who knew and loved him.
Brian Haskett
Brian and Sharon Haskett
The McRoberts family.
So sorry for your loss. Roy bring back fond memories of a great guy.
Steve Keron
My sincere condolences Roy was one of a kind . I have known him all my life . I have many great memories of him creating chaos and mayhem! Always his big smile and laugh through it all . I recall him always on a Friday night bringing his old “The Beast” dump truck in with something bent, broken or twisted and him laughing. We would fix it up and off he would go laughing all the way. He was very skilled baseball player He fooled many many opposing teams with his skill. I am very honoured to have known him . He will be missed by everyone who knew him.
Steve Keron
Mary-Jean Mills
Aunt Donna and family We are so sorry for the loss of Roy. We had the greatest times getting together in Florida to play our card games and go for wings. So many laughs. Always had fun at home getting together at weddings and celebrations. Roy will truly be missed by everyone that knew him. Love and prayers for all the family.
Love Terry and Mary-Jean Mills and family
Keith Evans
Here was a man that enjoyed everyday of being on this earth he lived life to the fullest I grew up watching and listening to him as a kid he will be missed sadly to say, too the whole family and to you Donna my deepest condolences.
Jim and Sherri MacGregor
Donna,
We are so very sorry for your loss.
Steven, Shelley and families,
Legendary tales and lots of love.
It’s a good thing I keep the car on he road now bc I can’t call on Roy to pull me out of the ditch.
He will be dearly missed by all.
Carla & Tim Kubiak
So sorry to hear of your brother’s passing. Our sincere condolences are with you & your family at this difficult time. May your brother rest in peace.
Dianne and Frank Dietrich
Donna,
Always fun and a pleasure to meet up with you and Roy at an event he really was a sweetheart, and will not be forgotten, thinking of you at this time and our sincere condolences, Frank and Dianne Dietrich
Diane Elston
Donna and family,
Our condolences on your loss of Roy, always enjoyed catching up with you in Florida.
Roy was friendly to everyone!
Diane Elston and Charles Pickel
Dann and Sally Mills
Donna and family
Please accept our condolences on Royโs passing.
Marion Gricken
My condolences to the McRoberts family on the passing of Roy,,, My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time!!!
Rob& Linda Farquhar
My deepest condolences to all of Roy s family he will be truly missed
Judy
Dear McRoberts family,
This fella left a lot of memories for many. Great dancer and all โround great guy! Sending sympathy and hugs, Judy Hayward
Cathy and Bruce Cornish
To the McRobert Family
We are so sorry to hear of Royโs passing. Roy had such a great smile, I remember talking to him quite often when he came in to Sears to fix the escalators, he was always friendly. Please except our sincere condolences in this very difficult time. Thinking if you all.
Janis Armstrong
The beast was larger than life. His smile and laugh was infectious. He was a great friend and his visits to Willy will be greatly missed.
Deepest condolences.
Sharon Straus
Thinking of your family at this time.
From Sharon Straus, Judy Coulter and John Thomson. Family of Bob and Helen Thomson.
Jill & John (Jay) Lind
Donna & Family, so sorry to hear of Royโs passing. He was a wonderful man! I will miss our many visits in Florida.
Thinking of you all at this sad time.
Lowell Penner
So sorry to hear about your loss. He will be missed by many
The Benner's
Dear Donna and Family…So sorry to hear of Roy’s passing. Images of Roy bring a smile to my heart. I grew up one road over from Roy’s family, so my childhood was dotted with encounters around the community with the McRoberts. Laughter, tall tales and a bit of mischief were traits that were enjoyed freely at these visits. I will never forget Roy dressing up as “Miss Granton” and jumping out of a make shift cake at the wedding of his friend. This tells me that he would do anything for someone he cared about and was able to laugh at himself and loved a good time. We jokingly said that it didn’t say much for the ladies of Granton if he won the competition…lol….Sending sympathy as you face the challenges of grief….Don and Heather
Marty& Karen Van Praet
Wishing you peace at this difficult time.Karen and I still remember how you welcome us into your summer home had a great time.Roy will be missed.
harry foster
Sending my sincere Condolenxes To All the family
Wayne & Kerry (O'Connor) Higman
Sending our deepest sympathies to ALL of Roy’s family members. An incredible loss indeed, as anyone who knew Roy would concur. He was a big man in so many ways with a love as well as empathy for his fellow man. Roy was always the life of the party with the heartiest laugh in a room – it was amazing how such a big man could be so light on his feet on the dance floor. A kind and generous soul who will be sorely missed by all.
John & Shirley Dykstra
Dear Donna and Family,
Our sincerest condolences to all. Roy was a lifetime friend and will be fondly remembered and greatly missed.
John and Shirley Dykstra
Ken and Bonnie Parkinson
To Royโs family
Very sorry to hear of your loss. Our condolences to you and your family at this difficult time.
Wayne and Sharon Dempsey
Our condolences to Donna and all of Royโs family. We will definitely miss The Beast. Heโs been such a big part of our Florida winters and Granton summers. He had a good heart and was a big presence in every room. Itโs hard to believe we wonโt be playing another game of euchre or heading out for wings and beer. Itโs a sad time but boy do we have lots of great memories of a great guy!
Catherine McRoberts
Dear Donna and family.
Roy will surely be missed! He was everything that has been said about him and more. Always a smile and happy to see you!
Thinking of you all,
Glenn and Cathy McRoberts
Kim White Cook
Dear Donna and Family, we are so sorry for the loss of Papa Roy. He was such a great man and will be greatly missed. Doug, Kim, Jesse and Kathryn Cook
Phyllis Gilbert
Donna & family. I’m saddened to hear of Roy’s passing. He was bigger than life & the life of the party!!! He will surely be missed with his hearty laugh…
Bob& Barb Wonnacott
We send our sympathy to you on the loss of Roy. He was a gentle giant and a smile that could warm a soul. We were lucky to know him and know he will be missed by many
Diane Ellyatt (Carty)
Bob,Claire, Jim RuthAnn and spouses so sorry to hear of Roy’s passing, omg lots of laughs and fun times, my condolences to all
Bob Mawson
Sorry to hear of Royโs passing, sending condolences to all at this sad time.
Earl Siegrist
Sorry to hear about your loss,
L will be on unavailable this weekend or l would most definitely come to the visitation for the support of the family
L will always remember his big smile and laugh
Ron & Barb Green
Roy we loved you. Loved your personality and your larger than life presence.
You will sadly be missed.
Ron & Barb Green
Reg Marshall
So saddened to hear of Royโs passing. He was a great friend to myself and my brother Roger. Always enjoyed his visits when he stop in at R and R trucking. RIP my friend Reg Marshall
Don & Helen Thomson
We have many fond memories of Royโฆfrom his dance moves, hardy laugh, great beard and his epic ride on โHecterโ the pony! May you celebrate his life as he would expect you to and keep all the memories close to your heart! We are unable to attend the service but know that you are all in our thoughts and prayers. God Bless!
Don & Helen
Helen Ferguson
McRobertโs Family
Remember all the good times, thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Ron and Helen Ferguson
Keith and Joyce Thomson
Dear Donna ,Steve,Shelly and all of Roy’s family. We are saddened hear of Roy’s death and are thinking of all of you in this time of deep grief.Roy was so well known around the area and never missed an event if he could help it. We have had a lot of fun over the years and we will always remember him fondly. He was one of a kind and was kind to all. Our condolences to you all. May he rest in peace.
Jeff & Teresa Young
Don and Patti and family Sorry to hear of your loss Roy was a “larger than life” kind of guy
Don and Diane Williams
Donna, Patti, Don and Girls We are so sorry to hear of Roy’s passing. Our condolences to each of you and your entire family
Larry Lewis
To the McRobert Family
Sorry to hear of Roy’s passing. A man who enjoyed life every day
Work or play. May the pain be gone now. RIP Roy.
Larry and Lynda Lewis
Alex Westman
My sincere condolences to Donna and the family. I have many fond memories of time with Roy when we served together on the Granton fire department. He was a great guy with a larger than life personality that will be remembered fondly by many.
Rick Freeman
I am so sorry for your loss. Roy was such a kind hearted soul.
Please accept my sincere condolences.
RIP Roy
Grant Thomson
My thoughts are with you at this time