Roy Hansma

A resident of Winchester for the past 40 years, Roy Hansma passed away at Winchester District Memorial Hospital on Thursday, April 3, 2014, surrounded by his family.  He was 69.

Roy was born in Beilen, The Netherlands on October 21, 1944, to his parents Oebele & Grietje Hansma (nee Barils).  He came to Canada with his parents and brothers, Hank and Obele in 1952. 

Raised on the family farm in Toyes Hill, Roy and his brothers (who now included Garth and Toney) all  helped their dad on the farm.

On October 26th, 1963, Roy married Sharon Summers and together they had two children, Dean and Shelley.

For a short period, Roy and Sharon lived in Oshawa, where he worked for General Motors.  In 1966, they returned  with their son to Toyes Hill where they purchased a property from Roy’s parents (formerly known as the Joe Steele farm).  Here, they milked cows and raised pigs and chickens, while Roy also worked full time at Ault Foods. 

In 1967, Roy and Sharon gave Dean a little sister (Shelley). 

Roy sold the farm in 1972, and moved to Winchester, where he worked for Ted Wickers Construction Company. 

In the mid 70’s, Roy and Fred Lobb created H & L Construction, and they worked together until Roy decided to go into business on his own. He then made a career of renovations and custom homes with his son working by his side. 

Roy took great pride in his work, and as a result made many friends over the years.  

He retired at the age of 66.  

Roy and Sharon, with his brother Garth and wife Ginette were able to travel back to his birthplace of Beilen, where he hadn’t been since coming to Canada.  

Being able  to go back to his birthplace and visit his relatives was very special to him.  He visited several countries in Europe and when he came home, he said it was a trip of a lifetime.

Roy was a very social person with outstanding people skills which netted him a great number of friends.  

He was a Volunteer Fireman with the Winchester Fire Department for 30 years and also a member of the Lions Club.  Roy loved sports and played many, his favourites being baseball, bowling and darts.  When he wasn’t playing himself, he enjoyed watching almost any sport on television, especially hockey, baseball and curling.

Roy’s love of the outdoors took him snowmobiling and four-wheeling, moose hunting with his friends in Ignace and deer hunting with buddies in Dacre.  

Fishing took him to the Bay of Quinte where he enjoyed hours of fishing, so much so that he purchased a cottage for his family and friends to enjoy over the next several years.

Roy loved his family and friends.  He was always there if they needed his help or advice and was always ready to lend a hand.  He was hard-working, honest and loyal.

Roy was a devoted husband to his wife of 50 years, Sharon.  He was a loving father to  his son Dean (Marilyn) of Heckston, and his daughter Shelley Beaudry (Tim Barkley and daughters Brooke & Morgan) and a loving and proud grandfather and Poppy to Chase and Ty Beaudry, all of Winchester.  He was pre-deceased by his brother, Toney.

His friends called at the Marsden & McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg, on Monday, April 7th, and attended the funeral service on Tuesday, April 8th at 11 a.m., with Rev. Christine Lowson officiating.

Pallbearers were son Dean, daughter Shelley and grandsons Chase and Ty.