January 7, 1938 – February 3, 2024

It is with heavy hearts and deepest sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our dear husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.

Roy leaves to forever mourn his loss his wife of 67 years, Arleen, his children, Keith (Laurel), Kelly, and Kent (Tamara). His grandchildren, Paul (Jen), Geordie, Jonah and Liam (Haley). Great grandchildren Mackale, Wyatt and Emma. He is also survived by his sister in law Georgina and his many nephews and nieces.

Roy was predeceased by his son Kenneth, brothers Glen and Ron, sister in law Olive, also his mother and father Roy and Myrtle Simmonds and his niece Gwen Simmonds..

Roy was born in Cadomin, Alberta and spent his childhood and youth with family and friends in this mining town in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. A place he returned to many times over the years to renew his spirit and reconnect with his memories of his family and his beginnings.

Roy was a strong advocate for human rights, social justice, and safety in the workplace since his very early days. His older brother Ron was a great influence in this regard.

Roy and Arleen met in Kitimat at a very young age which resulted in a marriage of 67 years and were blessed with their four beautiful children, Keith, Kelly, Kenneth and Kent who in turn blessed them with their equally beautiful grandchildren and great grandchildren. Their and the family’s greatest loss was the death of their son Kenneth at the young age of 23.

Roy’s real working life started as a welder in Kitimat, B.C. His years of union activism and leadership while working at Alcan led him to achieve his dream of becoming a representative of the United Steelworkers Union. Arleen and the children joined him in Flin Flon from where he also served other parts of Northern Manitoba.

After serving in Manitoba for 11 years, the family’s dream of returning to B.C. was achieved when Roy was transferred to Kamloops in 1979. Leaving behind many good friends and a full life in Flin Flon, Roy once again served a very large territory branching from Kamloops.

When an opportunity working in Labour Relations for the Pattison Group, CFJC TV in Kamloops presented itself Roy gladly accepted the challenge of carving out a new career where he made many good friends. When that position was centralized to Vancouver some years later, Roy accepted the challenge again and took up new work in Kamloops. Initially he worked for an insurance company selling benefit packages when he found out he was advising some non-corporate clients against some expensive and unnecessary packages because of his sense of fairness and honesty. He realized that was not the job for him. Working as a Stipendiary Justice of the Peace was interesting, using his many ‘people’ skills learned over the years.

When that job was also centralized to Vancouver, Roy turned his interests, capabilities and skills to volunteering in the community.

As a volunteer, Roy joined others in working as a driver for the Kamloops Food Bank and also working with the Kamloops Masons transporting patients from Kamloops to the Kelowna Cancer Clinic.

Roy also volunteered with the Kamloops Youth Resources Society, and was a past President of the Kamloops West Rotary Club. He volunteered when the Canada Games and other sporting events came to Kamloops and was on the board of the Men’s Christian Hostel. He was a presence in many roles in the Kamloops United Church. He was a member of The Compassionate Friends of Kamloops, a support group for bereaved parents. Roy enjoyed his years as a member of the Riverside Lawn Bowling Club and also the Probus Club.

Roy never backed off from a challenge, whether it was a change in employment or the lifelong challenge of trying to create change within the political system with his many years of activism with the CCF and later New Democratic Party. Social justice, equality of opportunity, lifting up the disadvantaged were his core beliefs and he lived his life by example, even in his later years, attested to by his ever growing list of causes he donated to.

If you were to ask Roy what his greatest achievements were, though, he would without a doubt point you to his beloved children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who exemplify his generous, loving and giving character and his humanity in working to lift others up. His best gift was that they loved him so much in return.

Roy’s wishes were that donations be made to the Kamloops Food Bank or to the Kamloops United Church Kenneth Simmonds fund for camperships so that children who cannot afford it have the opportunity to go to Camp Grafton.

Go to the Angels dear heart you fought the good fight, your suffering is over. May you Rise in Power.

Do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God. From Micah.

A Celebration of Life will be held at

Kamloops United Church

421 St. Paul Street

Kamloops, B.C.

On Saturday February 10, 2024 at 1:00 PM

The Service will be streamed on Kamloops United Church Youtube Channel

The link can be found on their website

• Date : 2024-02-05
• Location : Kamloops