Obituary for Roy David Allen
It is with heavy hearts that the family of Roy David Allen announce his passing on July 20, 2022 at the age of 78 at LaVerendrye Hospital in Fort Frances, after a long health struggle. Born on June 21, 1944 to the late Ross and Martha (Hartlin) Allen in Fort Frances, Ontario, Roy was a loved father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and husband to the late Lynda Allen (Berg).
Roy was a storyteller who enjoyed nothing more than to share his infectious smile and laughter with others. There was always a twinkle in his eyes as if he already knew all of the answers, and Sunday dinners were never complete without old tales and jokes told over a cup of tea.
As a boy, and then as a young man, Roy eagerly participated in numerous sporting events, his favourites being baseball and hockey, and he could always be counted on to bring home a red ribbon.
On March 15, 1968 Roy was united in marriage to Lynda Allen (Berg), and together they raised four children; Tammy, Tracy, Jason, and Dana. Roy shared his passion and enthusiasm for athletics and the outdoors with his children, his stories were often centered around their adventures in the woods and never failed to bring a smile to his face.
Passing time outdoors was at the forefront for Roy, who began his career as a young man in the forestry industry logging with his brothers, and who later devoted more than thirty years to being a papermaker at the local paper mill. Many of Roy’s most retold stories involved fond memories of workplace events with coworkers who became cherished comrades and who affectionately called him Bear. After retiring Roy was determined to continue to spend time outdoors, and could be found in his garden or on the lake when the sun was shining. In particular, Roy enjoyed spending time near Lost Axe on the Cedar Narrows Road, where he made many memories hunting and fishing with family and friends. Roy was also happy to continue to share stories with friends at the local coffee club, and was always very appreciative for the friends in his life, especially for his Tuesday coffee visits with Stanley and Dennis.
A man filled with a strength and determination that knew no bounds, Roy was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved watching them grow up, sharing their achievements, and hearing their stories. Roy’s family and friends will remember him whenever they smell fresh coffee or taste the crisp sweetness of garden-fresh carrots, whenever they open a box of Red Rose tea or feel the kind breeze of fall against their backs, whenever they dance along to country music or pass a diamond willow in the woods. When you take the time to help a friend, share vegetables from your garden, help someone to smile with a joke, hit a homerun, reel in your catch, or share a story, know that he is with you.
Roy is predeceased by his beloved wife Lynda Allen (Berg), parents Ross and Martha (Hartlin) Allen, parents in law Albert and Edith (Christiansen) Berg, brother-in-law Louis Boileau, and nephew Leonard “Lenny” Allen.
Left to mourn Roy are his children Tammy (Todd) McLean, Tracy (Ken) Wright, Jason (Stephanie Weir) Allen, and Dana (Toby Munro) Allen, his grandchildren Kelsey (Richard) Wieringa, Tyson (Rachel) McLean, Karleigh Wright, Mackenzie Wright, Colten Allen, Olivia Allen, Chloe Allen, and great grandchildren Chaz, Slater, and Soraya Wieringa. Roy is also survived by siblings Leonard “Jim” (Charon) Allen, Dennis (Marilou) Allen, and Marjorie Boileau, as well as brother-in-law Robert (Jorge Genes) Berg, and sisters in law Florence (Bernard) Richard and Carol (Mike) Botts, numerous nieces and nephews, and good friends Stanley Zajac, Ron Schindel, and Leonard Pittman.
A private internment will take place at the Devlin Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Fort Frances Legion for family and friends from 1-4 pm on Saturday July 30, 2022. Pall bearers will be Tyson McLean, Colten Allen, David Allen, Micheal Allen, and Gary Lockman. Honorary pall bearers will be Leonard “Jim” Allen, Dennis Allen, Stanley Zajac, Ron Schindel and Leonard Pitman
And if I go, while you’re still here…
Know that I live on,
Vibrating to a different measure,
Behind a thin veil you cannot see through,
You will not see me,
So you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
Both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
…I will be there.
-Emily Dickinson
Roy was a storyteller who enjoyed nothing more than to share his infectious smile and laughter with others. There was always a twinkle in his eyes as if he already knew all of the answers, and Sunday dinners were never complete without old tales and jokes told over a cup of tea.
As a boy, and then as a young man, Roy eagerly participated in numerous sporting events, his favourites being baseball and hockey, and he could always be counted on to bring home a red ribbon.
On March 15, 1968 Roy was united in marriage to Lynda Allen (Berg), and together they raised four children; Tammy, Tracy, Jason, and Dana. Roy shared his passion and enthusiasm for athletics and the outdoors with his children, his stories were often centered around their adventures in the woods and never failed to bring a smile to his face.
Passing time outdoors was at the forefront for Roy, who began his career as a young man in the forestry industry logging with his brothers, and who later devoted more than thirty years to being a papermaker at the local paper mill. Many of Roy’s most retold stories involved fond memories of workplace events with coworkers who became cherished comrades and who affectionately called him Bear. After retiring Roy was determined to continue to spend time outdoors, and could be found in his garden or on the lake when the sun was shining. In particular, Roy enjoyed spending time near Lost Axe on the Cedar Narrows Road, where he made many memories hunting and fishing with family and friends. Roy was also happy to continue to share stories with friends at the local coffee club, and was always very appreciative for the friends in his life, especially for his Tuesday coffee visits with Stanley and Dennis.
A man filled with a strength and determination that knew no bounds, Roy was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He loved watching them grow up, sharing their achievements, and hearing their stories. Roy’s family and friends will remember him whenever they smell fresh coffee or taste the crisp sweetness of garden-fresh carrots, whenever they open a box of Red Rose tea or feel the kind breeze of fall against their backs, whenever they dance along to country music or pass a diamond willow in the woods. When you take the time to help a friend, share vegetables from your garden, help someone to smile with a joke, hit a homerun, reel in your catch, or share a story, know that he is with you.
Roy is predeceased by his beloved wife Lynda Allen (Berg), parents Ross and Martha (Hartlin) Allen, parents in law Albert and Edith (Christiansen) Berg, brother-in-law Louis Boileau, and nephew Leonard “Lenny” Allen.
Left to mourn Roy are his children Tammy (Todd) McLean, Tracy (Ken) Wright, Jason (Stephanie Weir) Allen, and Dana (Toby Munro) Allen, his grandchildren Kelsey (Richard) Wieringa, Tyson (Rachel) McLean, Karleigh Wright, Mackenzie Wright, Colten Allen, Olivia Allen, Chloe Allen, and great grandchildren Chaz, Slater, and Soraya Wieringa. Roy is also survived by siblings Leonard “Jim” (Charon) Allen, Dennis (Marilou) Allen, and Marjorie Boileau, as well as brother-in-law Robert (Jorge Genes) Berg, and sisters in law Florence (Bernard) Richard and Carol (Mike) Botts, numerous nieces and nephews, and good friends Stanley Zajac, Ron Schindel, and Leonard Pittman.
A private internment will take place at the Devlin Cemetery. There will be a Celebration of Life at the Fort Frances Legion for family and friends from 1-4 pm on Saturday July 30, 2022. Pall bearers will be Tyson McLean, Colten Allen, David Allen, Micheal Allen, and Gary Lockman. Honorary pall bearers will be Leonard “Jim” Allen, Dennis Allen, Stanley Zajac, Ron Schindel and Leonard Pitman
And if I go, while you’re still here…
Know that I live on,
Vibrating to a different measure,
Behind a thin veil you cannot see through,
You will not see me,
So you must have faith.
I wait for the time when we can soar together again,
Both aware of each other.
Until then, live your life to the fullest
And when you need me,
Just whisper my name in your heart,
…I will be there.
-Emily Dickinson