Roy Dowson McLennan of Vulcan, Alberta, beloved husband, father and grandfather, passed away suddenly with his family at his side December 8, 2007 in Vulcan. He was 86.
Roy was born on April 18, 1921 in Fort Macleod. At the age of five his mother passed away and Roy went to live in Carling, England. At the age of eight he returned to the Pincher Creek, Alberta area and lived with his Aunt Mary and Uncle John. Roy was the youngest of three children, Jack of Pincher Creek, and Edith of Burnaby, BC.
Roy joined the army during WWII and was a Corporal who drove tanks in the Kings Own Calgary Regiment, 14 th Arm’d Regt. (Calgary Tanks). During the war he took part in one of the longest campaigns with the taking of Italy, driving his tank the entire length of the country. Roy also took part in the liberation of Holland and the Dieppe campaign. Roy was shipped over seas on the Queen Mary, although he stated ‘she was no luxury liner at the time.’ Roy was a member of 50/14 Calgary Tanks Veteran’s Association and attended many Reunions.
After the war Roy returned to Southern Alberta , where he apprenticed as a Auto Body Mechanic. During this time met and married Marjorie McNab of Fort Macleod in 1948. Marjorie was one of the nine children of Jim and Mary McNab. Together they resided in Coleman, AB. before moving to Vulcan, where Roy operated the Vulcan Body Shop. Roy was a compassionate businessman and did many rush jobs on kids’, wives’ and husbands’ cars on the Q.T. A good number of these rush jobs he never charged for.
As an avid outdoorsman Roy loved spending weekends camping with family and hunting with buddies. Roy was also an excellent curler and as such went to the Royal Canadian Legion Dominion Curling finals in PEI and NWT. Roy was also one of a few curlers that had an eight ender. Roy also golfed a pretty good game in later years. At the age of 65 he even tried downhill skiing, but wasn’t enthralled with the sport.
Roy was an a Life Member of the B.O.P. Elks, Life Member of the Vulcan Curling Club and an active member of the Legion and Golf Club and volunteered with the Vulcan Fire Department for many years. Above all Roy treasured time spent with his family.
Roy will be greatly missed by his wife of 59 years Marj, one son Allen (Sheryl) of Mayerthorpe, AB, three daughters Laurie (Don) Gottenberg of Vulcan, AB, Chriss Barr of Arrowwood AB, Gail (Pete) McNiven of Cessford AB, and his sister Edith (Norm) Thomas. He is also survived by seven grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren: David and Dawn Gottenberg (Neil and Erin); Gina and Barry Jordan; Wade and Tracy Barr (Jayde, Ryder, Regan); Dannee-Lee Barr (Levi, Tyler); Roy and Jodi McNiven (Royce); Shari McNiven; Christa and Reg Dunham; and Ashley MacLennan; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Roy was predeceased by his brother Jack, son-in-law Allen Barr and grandson James Barr.
Funeral service was held Dec.14 at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Vulcan at 11:00AM
If friends so desire contributions may be made in Roy’s memory to the Vulcan & District EMS, Box 299, Vulcan T0L 2B0 or to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200, 215 – 12 Ave SE, Calgary T2G 1A2.
Arrangements in care of Vulcan Funeral Home. Directors. Telephone 1-403-485-2633. E-mail condolences to vulcanfuneralhome@hotmail.com.