Louis Roy

Louis (Louie) Andrew Roy, age 92 of Minneapolis, formerly of Columbia Heights, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 16, 2024, at RiverVillage East.

Louie was born to Louis and Florence Roy on February 1st, 1932, in Red Lake Falls, MN. Louie, or junior, as his “ma”called him, attended St. Joseph’s School, and graduated from Lafayette High School. During his school years Louie worked on his uncle’s farm and later worked for his dad moving houses. He was also a multi-sport, letter-winning athlete.

In 1953, Louie moved to the “Twin Cities” where he was hired,first, by R.C. Hitchcock, and eventually by OilDyne (later Parker-Hannifin) where he worked until his retirement in 1997.

On May 29th, 1954, Louie married Pauline Dufault, in a ceremony at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Gentilly, MN. Louie was a loving husband to his lovely lady. Not a holiday went by that he did not buy a beautiful card, a vase of flowers, and a box of candy. After he retired, he brought her to work in downtown Minneapolis every morning and picked her up at the bus stop every evening. There was nothing he would not do for Pauline.

Louie and Pauline lived in Minneapolis until they moved to their house in Columbia Heights where they lived for 66 years. They moved to RiverVillage East in Minneapolis in February of 2023.

Louie and Pauline were blessed with five daughters. Being the ultimate girl dad before it was a thing, Louie supported his daughters in every way possible. He was always in the crowd at their sporting events and activities; Louie faithfully watched 23 years of dance recitals. His love for his girls was strong even as dementia took a toll on him. As adults, his girls continued to feel strength in the love he had for them.

Louie adored his grandchildren and his great grandchildren. Like he did for his daughters, he attended events in hot swimming pools and cold skating rinks, at football stadiums and soccer fields, in sweaty gyms, and at all types of art, music, and theatre venues.

Louie enjoyed spending time with family and friends and will be remembered fondly in so many ways. He enjoyed playing golf, and bowling on the Knights of Columbus league; he liked to play cribbage and cards. He taught his daughters and his grandchildren how to play rummy and he would always smile slyly when he, more often than not, was the winner. Louielearned to dance at a young age. He would dance with his daughters, relatives, and friends; he was happiest, however, when he was dancing with Pauline.

A quiet, thoughtful, and patient man, Louie could often be found sitting alone in a room, usually taking a break from all of the talking (at the same time) by the many women in his life. At a gathering of any kind, you might find him sitting next to the door, ready to leave, coat on, hat in hand, waiting for Pauline to say goodbye to the entire room. His calming nature showed up time and again when he was holding babies, a crying baby was always quieted in Louie’s arms.

Louie was funny and kind and given the chance, would eat dessert first. He was welcoming and generous. He liked to use French phrases, “fais attention”, with a lift of his eyebrows, was heard often. Louie’s favorite color was red. He is remembered for saying “Red is Best” and reading a book of the same name to his grandchildren. Up to the end, Louie was smiling, winking, rolling his eyes, and playing a little air guitar. He asked his family to take care of Pauline.

Bonne Soirée Louie Roy, husband, dad, grandpa, great grandpa, son, brother, uncle, friend. We are better for having known you, we miss you dearly.

Louie is survived by his beloved wife of 70 years, Pauline Roy; daughters Cindy (Rick) Mueller, Sandy (Jim) Bornetun, Karen (Cam) Obert, Lisa (Bob) Kocon, and Suzanne (Jon W.) Roy; ten grandchildren and their significant others; three great-grandchildren; siblings Lynn Larson, Philip, Dennis (Audrey), John (Mary), Jean (Marcel) LaJesse; sister-in-law Gloria Roy.

In addition to his parents, Louie was preceded in death by siblings & in-laws Lucille (Lloyd) Dufault, Julia (Bill) Franken, Lawrence Roy, Eraine (Lee) Faust, Madonna (Gordy) Stickel, Tony Roy; brother-in-law Jim Larson; sister-in-law Sally Roy.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 701 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis, MN  55413 with visitation from 11:00 am – 12:00 p.m. Lunch will be served following the service.

Memorials preferred to Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church, 701 Fillmore St. NE, Minneapolis, MN  55413, or Our Lady of Peace Hospice, 2076 St. Anthony Avenue, St. Paul MN 55104. Louie’s family would like to thank the staff at RiverVillage East for their care and compassion during this difficult time.

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