1937 ~ WILSON ~ 2012
Posted: October 18th, 2012
With great sadness the family of Dr. LeRoy (L. J. Roy) John Wilson announces that he peacefully passed away with family by his side at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital on Monday, October 16, 2012, at the age of 74 years. Along with his wife of 49 years, Colleen Elizabeth (nee Hough), he leaves to cherish his memory five children: John Craig (Mary Louise Weber) of Basking Ridge, N.J., Carolyn Louise (Erik Hoekstra) of Victoria, B.C., Elizabeth Mae (Ed Kruger) of Medicine Hat, Geoffrey Milton (Stefanie Caron) of Cochrane and Catherine Alice (Jason Fraser) of Medicine Hat; ten grandchildren: Jack and Olivia Wilson of Basking Ridge, Nicolaas and Michael Hoekstra of Victoria, Samuel and Aaron Kruger of Medicine Hat, Sydney and Zachary Wilson of Cochrane, and Emily and Joshua Fraser of Medicine Hat; three sisters, Beverly (Robert Conroy) of Moose Jaw, Sask., Shirley (Ross Elliott) of Edmonton and Patricia (Arden Hoel) of Devon; a great niece, Reigh Ann Summers, of Medicine Hat, and numerous nieces and nephews. Roy was pre-deceased by his parents, Milton and Caroline Wilson, and a granddaughter, Alexandra Catelyn Fraser.
Roy was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, October 24, 1937. He was raised in a loving family in small towns across Saskatchewan, his father being a railroader, and he graduated from Elrose High School in 1955. Roy received his B.Ed (1965), M.Ed. (1970) And PhD. (1975) degrees from the University of Alberta, all while teaching full-time and raising a rambunctious family of five children. His teaching career, which began in Saskatoon, Sask., brought him to Edmonton in 1960, where he spent five years teaching in the public school system and especially enjoyed his two-year stint as a Master Teacher with the University of Alberta’s Demonstration School.
Roy met his future wife and lifetime partner, Colleen Elizabeth Hough, while they both attended and sang in the choir at McDougall United Church in Edmonton. Their union in 1963 was blessed with five children. With their growing family, Roy and Colleen moved to Camrose, where Roy taught at Camrose Lutheran College (1966-1971), and then to Blairmore, where he served as vice-principal of the Crowsnest Consolidated High School (1971-1973). In 1973, Roy was appointed to the faculty of Medicine Hat College where, until his retirement in 2003, he was an instructor and coordinator of the teacher education program and also taught Canadian history.
Roy enjoyed his career and home in Medicine Hat. He took great pleasure in researching the fascinating history of the region and produced many publications on Medicine Hat’s early years, including a history of the school district. His passion for history and the arts and his commitment to civic participation led Roy to be involved in many cultural organizations, including the Medicine Hat Historical Society and the Friends of Medalta Society. He was also a major contributor to the capital campaign for the creation of the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.
Roy was especially proud of his service as trustee with Medicine Hat School District No. 76 (1980-present). He was privileged to be recognized for his contributions: Alberta Home and School Association’s Presidents Award (1998), the Medicine Hat College Academic Achievement Award (1998), honourary life memberships in the Alberta School Boards Association (1998) and the Canadian School Boards Association (1999), the Alberta Centennial Medal for his service to public education in the Province of Alberta (2005) and the Alberta School Boards Association President’s Award (2007). In June 2012, Roy was privileged to be Medicine Hat College’s honourary applied baccalaureate degree recipient.
Following retirement Roy enjoyed serving on the board of the Good Samaritan Society, 2002- 2008 (chair, 2006-2008), and the Senate of the University of Alberta, 2006-2012. He was a member of Grace Lutheran Church and more recently St. Peter’s Lutheran Church. Roy loved classical music, especially opera, reading, gardening and most of all spending time with his beloved grandchildren.
A memorial service to celebrate Roy’s life will be held at St. Barnabas Anglican Church on Friday, October 19th at 4 pm, with a public reception to follow at the Medicine Hat College Cafeteria at 6 pm.
To honour Roy’s life, the family requests that you consider supporting two of his passions, education and music, with a donation to Medicine Hat College’s Dr. Roy Wilson Memorial, “Bring Back the Music Program,” created to expose children at Elm Street and Riverside Schools to the arts. Donations can be directed to the Medicine Hat College Foundation, care of Deanna Hayson, Development Officer.
In loving memory
I am so very sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Wilson. My heart goes out to his family at this time. I enjoyed many hours of Dr. Wilsons classes, time with in choir together as well as the many discussion in his office at the Medicine Hat College.
Respectfully,
Vincent Darr
Yumuri, Cuba
It was an honor to work with Roy in the Parent Council field of Education. His dedication, enthusiasm and passion both for students and their parents is unequaled! My thoughts and prayers to you Colleen and your wonderful family! Roy will always be remembered as a man who made a difference in Medicine Hat
I have always had so much respect and admiration for Roy as there were a few times he impacted me profoundly. He was a wise and gentle and I’m grateful to have known him. He was a Giant of a man in my minds eye.
Colleen, you and your family are in my thoughts, my prayers and in my heart at this most difficult time in your lives.
With heartfelt sincerity
Jenny
Liz and Family,
Dr. Wilson was and is a mentor for my educational career. He took the time to truly care for me as one of his students. Dr. Wilson shared his love of teaching and his love of Canadian History with me. He was a source of research information for me when I went to the University of Lethbridge to finish my teaching degree. Dr. Wilson went above and beyond my expectations of a professor.
When I began teaching, he continued to take an interest in my life. I will miss his smile and how he could remember his Ed students–no matter how many years had passed since we sat in his classroom.
The city has lost a great man and his family has lost an awesome father.
My condolences to the family. My prayers are with you.
I am so sorry for your losss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May your wonderful memories help ease your sorrow at this time.
I am so sorry for your your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. May your wonderful memories help you in your sorrow.
Roy Wilson was truly one of the greatest people I have ever known. He was always kind and compassionate and that carried on to all of his beautiful family members, he, his wife Colleen and their children, Craig, Carolyn, Elizabeth, Catherine and Jeffrey have been all my dear friends for a VERY long time. Your unwavering kindness and compassion that you have shown me and all you have come into contact with will never be forgotten. I love you all dearly and know that my thoughts are with you during this difficult time!
I think of you often, fond memories are vividly recalled every time the bus goes past the store I used to work at which was once the family business on my way to and from work each day and I remember MANY wonderful conversations with Roy at the College and other places.
My deepest and most heartfelt condolences
Robert (Bobby) Crane
Medicine Hat
Oh my goodness. I just saw that Roy passed away – I am in shock. Colleen, to you and your family I send my deepest sympathies. His enthusiasm was infectious and I thoroughly enjoyed the times that we had together at the different district functions. He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Colleen & Family, Our most sincere sympathies to you at this time of sorrow. Our prayers are with you.
Sincerely Brian & Camille Bieber
Dear Coleen, Catherine, and all of you,
I tried to send a card, but it came back to me.
I am so sorry for your loss. Roy was a great contributor to the city, the arts, and to education. I often look at Catherine’s Roy picture at Grace when Adrienne was baptised.
Please let me know your address now, so I can send a letter.
Love, Lynn, David, Aaron, and Adrienne
On behalf of Sandi Urban Hall, President of the Canadian School Boards Association and our Board of Directors, please accept our deepest sympathies for your loss.
Dr. Wilson will be sorely missed. His contribution to education was invaluable and at the CSBA, we will be forever grateful for his leadership. and companionship.
Respectfully,
Valerie McLeod, Managing Director, CSBA
Colleen, I just saw in the New Trail magazine that Roy passed away in October. I had no idea. I am so very sorry for your loss. He was a truly wonderful man.