Obituary for Yvon Emile "Ivan" Roy
Ivan passed away at his home in Heyden, Ontario on October 8, 2023, at the age of 74.
He is survived by his former partner and friend Rita, and their two sons Ricky (Courtney) and Phillip (Christine). Loving grandfather to Ricky Jr., Ryan (Ashley), Samantha, Luca and great grandfather to Zaryus.
Cherished son of the late Phillippe and Ramona Roy. Beloved brother to Edward (Diane), Roger (Tamara), late Joe Roy, Rene (Lise), Pauline (Albert), Donna (Denis) and Noella (Richard). Survived by his Aunt Angeline. He will be missed by many friends and his treasured pets.
Ivan was a man who wore many hats both literally and figuratively. It’s hard to find a picture of him as an adult without him wearing one. He was a father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, small business owner, hunter, fisherman, trapper, hard working man and the life of the party. You might have known him as Yvon, Ivan, pops, Missanabie Indian or the mad trapper.
One with nature, he spent almost all of his free time outdoors hunting, fishing, trapping or just scouting the woods. There probably isn’t a square mile of bush in these areas that he hadn’t set foot on at some point. Moose hunting was his passion. As a master of the outdoors, friends from all around would ask him to be their hunting partner. They knew, if you were lucky enough to be hunting with him that year, you were going to be coming home with a moose.
Ivan never shied away from work.
From the age of 11 he and his father Phillippe guided fishermen for the Missanabie Hotel. At 13 he decided to join his father in the bush cutting wood for the winter. As story has it, he was dropped off by himself with a backpack on his back, one on his front and a chainsaw on each shoulder. He snowshoed through the bush to the work camp and stayed there until the thaw. He also worked for his uncle Armand driving a logging truck. After that he held odd jobs washing dishes, being a cook and working for Elwood Robinson. In the mid 70’s, Ivan was hired to work for Coopers Crane, known as Sterling Crane today, and held that job until retirement. As a heavy equipment operator there wasn’t a piece of machinery out there he couldn’t run. He helped build and maintain many of the highways, roads and bush roads around the Sault and area.
Loved by most and feared by some, Ivan was unforgettable. He had friends far and wide. A 5-minute visit to any store in town with him turned out to be an hour. There would be a dozen people he knew who would stop to chat with him, usually picking his brain on a hunting or fishing spot he once conquered.
Although his friends, accomplishments and the outdoors meant a lot to him, nothing compared to the love he had for his family. Ivan’s two boys were everything to him and made his life complete no matter what he was going through. His most perfect days were spent hunting or fishing together with his sons.
The next time you’re in the woods or on the lake and you see an eagle soaring above, look up and smile…that’s just him checking in on you.
Dad, I just know you’ve already found a hot spot for specks up there, just make sure you save a couple seats for your boys.
A special thank you to all of Ivan’s friends that looked out for him, especially Johnny.
A Come & Go Celebration of Ivan’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James St, SSM) from 9:45 am – 11:45 am. A graveside service will follow at Holy Sepulchre Columbarium at 12:00 pm with Mrs. Helen Smith officiating.
Flowers can be sent to O’Sullivan Funeral Home or memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (Payable online https://cancer.ca/en or by cheque).
He is survived by his former partner and friend Rita, and their two sons Ricky (Courtney) and Phillip (Christine). Loving grandfather to Ricky Jr., Ryan (Ashley), Samantha, Luca and great grandfather to Zaryus.
Cherished son of the late Phillippe and Ramona Roy. Beloved brother to Edward (Diane), Roger (Tamara), late Joe Roy, Rene (Lise), Pauline (Albert), Donna (Denis) and Noella (Richard). Survived by his Aunt Angeline. He will be missed by many friends and his treasured pets.
Ivan was a man who wore many hats both literally and figuratively. It’s hard to find a picture of him as an adult without him wearing one. He was a father, grandfather, great grandfather, son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, friend, small business owner, hunter, fisherman, trapper, hard working man and the life of the party. You might have known him as Yvon, Ivan, pops, Missanabie Indian or the mad trapper.
One with nature, he spent almost all of his free time outdoors hunting, fishing, trapping or just scouting the woods. There probably isn’t a square mile of bush in these areas that he hadn’t set foot on at some point. Moose hunting was his passion. As a master of the outdoors, friends from all around would ask him to be their hunting partner. They knew, if you were lucky enough to be hunting with him that year, you were going to be coming home with a moose.
Ivan never shied away from work.
From the age of 11 he and his father Phillippe guided fishermen for the Missanabie Hotel. At 13 he decided to join his father in the bush cutting wood for the winter. As story has it, he was dropped off by himself with a backpack on his back, one on his front and a chainsaw on each shoulder. He snowshoed through the bush to the work camp and stayed there until the thaw. He also worked for his uncle Armand driving a logging truck. After that he held odd jobs washing dishes, being a cook and working for Elwood Robinson. In the mid 70’s, Ivan was hired to work for Coopers Crane, known as Sterling Crane today, and held that job until retirement. As a heavy equipment operator there wasn’t a piece of machinery out there he couldn’t run. He helped build and maintain many of the highways, roads and bush roads around the Sault and area.
Loved by most and feared by some, Ivan was unforgettable. He had friends far and wide. A 5-minute visit to any store in town with him turned out to be an hour. There would be a dozen people he knew who would stop to chat with him, usually picking his brain on a hunting or fishing spot he once conquered.
Although his friends, accomplishments and the outdoors meant a lot to him, nothing compared to the love he had for his family. Ivan’s two boys were everything to him and made his life complete no matter what he was going through. His most perfect days were spent hunting or fishing together with his sons.
The next time you’re in the woods or on the lake and you see an eagle soaring above, look up and smile…that’s just him checking in on you.
Dad, I just know you’ve already found a hot spot for specks up there, just make sure you save a couple seats for your boys.
A special thank you to all of Ivan’s friends that looked out for him, especially Johnny.
A Come & Go Celebration of Ivan’s Life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at O’Sullivan Funeral Home (215 St. James St, SSM) from 9:45 am – 11:45 am. A graveside service will follow at Holy Sepulchre Columbarium at 12:00 pm with Mrs. Helen Smith officiating.
Flowers can be sent to O’Sullivan Funeral Home or memorial donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society (Payable online https://cancer.ca/en or by cheque).