Roy Douglas Munro

MUNRO, Roy Douglas
1942-2017

We are devastated to announce the sudden passing of Roy Douglas Munro on Thursday, November 2, 2017 from a heart attack, at home, preceded by a short illness.  Roy was born in Innisfail, AB to Douglas Victor and Jeane (Henley) Munro on November 4, 1942.  Raised on his family’s farm, he started working the land with his parents at a young age, even driving tractor at age six.  He learned to curl as a teenager, a sport he continued to enjoy throughout his life.  During his time as a farmer, he was a member of the Co-Op Board of Directors, and was President during the construction of the Co-Op Mall in Innisfail. Following a divorce in the mid-1980s, he left farming and studied Computer Systems Technology at Red Deer College.  Around this time, he met and married Marie Hermary, also becoming an ever-supportive father figure to her daughter Suzanne.  With his CST certificate, he worked for several years with other computer technicians and later set up his own company, Enhanced Info Solutions, writing computer programs specific to client needs.  He also taught basic computer skills workshops in many rural communities for Alberta Agriculture, a role that Roy thoroughly enjoyed.   As more computer programs became available to the public, the need for specialized systems decreased so Roy worked several jobs where his innovative handyman skills were greatly appreciated, especially by the sisters of the St. Joseph’s Convent. Roy last worked as a school bus driver for Prairie Bus Lines where the students on his daily route came to love and respect him.  His employer also recognized Roy’s willingness to help with specialized bus trips for which he was honoured with Prairie’s “Going the Extra Mile” award.  Roy was well-known in the Anders on the Lake neighbourhood for his daily walks and his knowledge about gardening, his helpfulness with home repairs, and so much more.  Roy and Marie travelled often and enjoyed many family gatherings here in Canada, in France and in the United States, where he was always willing to jump up and help whomever may have needed it.  He loved to dance, especially polkas and waltzes for which he often received accolades for his fancy footwork and sense of rhythm.  He could have had a full dance card at any time!  He loved playing bridge and cribbage, solving a Sudoku, watching the stock markets and he spent hours learning from TED talks and the Discovery Channel in recent years.  In his later years, he enjoyed golfing, walking in the fresh air and taking a drive during harvest season to check out the crops and the farmers’ progress. 

Roy was a gentleman and a gentle man and it was a privilege to have had him in our lives. As a friend shared with us recently, “he was calm, patient, kind, humble, and content – just some of the fine qualities that define the essence of Roy.”  He will be missed by many loved ones, including his sisters Clara Gibson of Innisfail, Irene Chemney of Vancouver Island and Mary (Jack) Sicotte of Calgary and their children and grandchildren as well as by many cousins, especially Katherine Smith from Innisfail, Dave (Dorothy) Munro from Innisfail and Lloyd (Blanche) Munro from Calgary and their numerous family members mostly in Alberta.  Marie’s large extended family includes many saddened Hermary siblings and families in Alberta; loved ones in France; and many relations throughout Canada and the United States who will miss Roy’s presence in their lives.  He was well loved by all who met him.  Marie and Suzanne will miss him dearly for the kind and loving man that he was.  They are thankful to everyone for all the love and support shown to them during this time of such unexpected loss.  

A Celebration of Roy’s Life will take place at the Poplar Ridge Hall, Range Road 283, Red Deer County, AB on Monday, November 13, 2017 at 11:00 am.
A Private Interment will take place in the spring.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Roy’s memory to the charity of one’s choice.

THE DASH

I read of a man who stood to speak

at the funeral of a friend….

He referred to the dates on her tombstone

from the beginning….to the end.

He noted that first came the date of her birth

and spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all…

was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time

that she spent alive on earth

And now only those who loved her

know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own

the cars, the house, the cash

What matters is how we live and love

and how we spend our dash

So think about this long and hard

are there things you’d like to change?

For you never know how much time is left

that can still be rearranged.   (or     you could be at dash mid range)

If we could just slow down enough

to consider what’s true and and  what’s real

And always try to understand

the way other people feel.

And…be less quick to anger, to show appreciation more

And love the people in our lives

like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,

and more often wear a smile

Remembering that this special dash

might only last a little while

So when your eulogy is being read

with your life’s actions to rehash…

Would you be proud of the things they say

about how you spent your dash ?

- Linda Ellis