Roy Roger McGillis
July 21, 1952- October 6, 2025
Roy passed away on October 6, 2025 in Edmonton Alberta at the age of 73.
Roy will forever be remembered and loved by his Wife Joanne, Children Matthew, Scott (Trina), Jennifer, Shawn (Jody), Grandchildren Christopher (Aleisha), Daymien, Julian (Tamara), Megan (Kyle), Zantrice (Ethan), Brooke (Blake), Hunter, Tristan, Darian, Brayden
Great grandchildren Acelynn, Emerson, Adaline, Bowen, Brynlee, Elias, Daniel, Kohlsyn
Brothers & Sisters Harvey, Alex, Marlene, Donna and numerous nieces and nephews
He was predeceased by his Parents, Roger & Florence, Brother Mervin, Brother in law Murray, Parents in law Jerry & Mary Vert and Infant Grandson, Zachary
Roy was born in North Battleford on July 21, 1952, to Roger and Florence McGillis. He was the first of six children. Roy passed away on October 6, 2025, in Edmonton, Alberta, at the age of 73, after a long battle with multiple health issues.
At an early age his family moved to Lloydminster, where he lived most of his life. Roy attended the comp where he met Joanne. In September of 1971 at the age of 19, he married her and before long they moved to a house on her parents farm.
Roy began working at Nelson Lumber on the loading crew, driving a forklift. He later joined Universal Industries, where he earned his journeyman welding ticket. He also drove a crane and truck which started his trucking career.
During this time Roy and Joanne had four children Matthew, Scott, Jennifer, and Shawn. Then in 1985 moved their family to an acreage west of Blackfoot.
In 1988, Roy bought his first semi-truck and began working for Hunterline out of Salmon Arm, BC, hauling freight long distances across Canada and a bit into the U.S. He logged many miles, saw plenty of the country between B.C and Ontario, taking members of his family whenever possible. He came home every couple of weeks where his weekends were spent hauling kids to hockey, Scouts, dance, bowling, 4-H, and air cadets and taking his family out for supper. Roy loved spending time with his family, especially fishing and camping trips starting early each May. Managing to find some time to spend at the lake boating, and enjoying campfires. He always made it home for the holidays.
Wanting to be home more often, Roy later switched to local oil hauling for Silverman Trucking. Over the course of his career, he owned a small fleet of four trucks before scaling back to one when he transitioned from highway hauling to oil hauling.
In January 1997, Roy learned he was going to be a grandpa for the first time. Before he could fully settle into the idea, he was surprised to find out he would welcome four grandchildren within the next 14 months, a fact that may have contributed to a few grey hairs! Over the years, Roy became Grandpa to 11 grandchildren and Great Grandpa to 8 great-grandchildren.
Roy had a great sense of humour and loved to tease. One day, when Jennifer gave him a ride, he noticed an empty KFC box on the floor of her car. From that day on, every time he got in her vehicle, he’d ask if there were “chicken bones under the seat.” He never let her forget that one car ride.
In 2009, Roy retired due to health issues. Joanne got him a dog named Sophie, who became his constant companion for 16 years. He adored her and even saved bits of food from every meal to share with her, something he continued to do for a while after she passed away this past May.
Roy loved travelling, especially road trips to BC to visit Joanne's Great Aunt and Uncle and to bring cases of blueberries home. He loved flying to Las Vegas, going several times either with friends, family or just the two of them. He also enjoyed going to Mexico to relax on the beach and watch the ocean waves. Roy and Joanne took a few trips to Florida to visit their son Scott and his family at their home, spending a Christmas there, playing tourist, and making lasting memories.
He cherished time at the lake, particularly when his kids, grandkids and friends came to join them. Roy loved giving the grandkids rides on the tractor or lawnmower, racing around the acreage, and even lifting them in the tractor bucket to pick crab apples. He liked spending time in the hot tub with some of the grandkids and had regular bbqs with the family.
Roy enjoyed visiting with friends, neighbours and family especially at his backyard birthday parties. They also joined friends at chariot races, suppers, and dances. Though he didn’t dance very much himself, he loved listening to his friends jam and socializing with everyone.
Roy deeply loved his family, whether it was travelling with Joanne, working on cars with Matthew, talking about trucks with Shawn, receiving calls from Scott in Florida, or helping Jennifer with one of her Pinterest projects. His family was his greatest joy and his proudest accomplishment.
Roy was loved by many and will be dearly missed by all who knew him. His laughter, stories, and teasing nature will live on in the memories of those he loved. Though his journey on this earth is complete, his influence and love continues on in the hearts of his family and friends.
Rest easy Roy, your work here is done. The miles behind you were full of love. We will miss you.
Care entrusted to Pine Box Funerals Inc. (780) 910-6432 pineboxfunerals.ca