Roy Demmans was born April 7th, 1935 in Yellow Creek, Saskatchewan to parents Joseph and Beatrice Demmans. Roy grew up and attended school at Rabbit Ridge near Morin Creek, Saskatchewan. He was the middle child of a family of ten children: five boys and five girls.
Being from a large family, Roy was no stranger to hard work. In his mid-twenties, Roy worked at various construction jobs in Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia. While working on the oil rigs, Roy knew the importance of staying in shape. He and his co-workers would work to complete fifty push-ups a day, and this was a personal goal that Roy continued for himself well into his seventies. At the age of thirty-one, Roy began working for the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, and this would be the job he would work at for the next thirty years.
While work was important, Roy always made time for family and friends. Roy first met Laura Peterson at a café in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. Laura remembers the mini jukebox on the table, and knowing it was love at first sight. In 1965, Roy and Laura were married on May 28th in the Lutheran Church in Meadow Lake. Together, Roy and Laura lived in many small Saskatchewan towns. Wadena, Amsterdam, Carrot River, Snowden, Smeaton, and Nipawin were the many places Roy and Laura called home.
Roy was an active member of any community he belonged. He taught Hunter Safety courses, and he coached Minor Hockey. Roy’s hobbies included mechanical or body work on any vehicles he could get his hands on. He spent hours restoring his Dad’s 1961 Ford Falcon and took great pleasure in getting it up and running again. Hunting and fishing seasons were also special to Roy. Never afraid of a challenge, Roy would often hunt for geese, moose, elk and deer. He also enjoyed the many fishing trips with the Pickett family. Music was also an important part of Roy’s family, and he played guitar with his family members at many social gatherings.
During his retirement, Roy golfed in the summers and curled in the winters. Roy also looked forward to his annual fishing trips with his boys on the river. While Laura was still working at this time, Roy refined his cooking and cleaning skills. He would often have a meal prepared and the house cleaned when Laura returned from work…..IF it did not interfere with his golf, curling, Blue Jays game, or The Young and the Restless!
Above all else, Roy was a family man. He is known as ‘Silly Papa’ to his great-grandchildren, and his continuous patience, kindness, and stoic nature will live on through his family members. Left to love and cherish his memories are his wife Laura, his three sons: Blaine (Leah), Corey (Lisa), and Trevor (Becky), his grandchildren: Kristen (Cullen), Brooke, Gabby (Justin), Ethan (Teneal), Sarah, Lauren, Haley, Claira, Camden and Mayzie, and his great-grandchildren: Kendal, Marley, and Emery. Roy also leaves behind his brothers: George (Marge), Raymond (Fern), and Gary (Rose), his sisters: Lil, Dorothy, Bette (Reg), and Joan (George) and many nieces and nephews.
On Friday, February 17th, Roy passed away peacefully at Pineview Lodge with the comfort of Laura and his brother Gary (Rose) by his side. Roy will be re-united with his loving parents Beatrice and Joseph, his brother Russell, sister Sadie, and brothers-in-law Joe and Paul.
No matter how much time had passed between each visit, Roy was always happy to see his family and friends. Even when his body was failing him the most, Roy never complained. His mischievous twinkle in his eye and genuine smile will be missed and cherished by all those who knew him.
Roy Demmans
April 07, 1935
February 17, 2023
- In Loving Memory