JOHN ROYLE

December 8, 1938 ~ December 8, 2021

John David Royle was born in Sale Cheshire, England and passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer at St. Joseph’s Home – Carmel Hospice in Medicine Hat on December 8, 2021, at the age of 83 years.The family moved to Prestatyn, North Wales in 1949, and on completion of schooling in 1954, enlisted into the Royle Air Force, boy entrant scheme. He was medically discharged after only four months of a 12 year service and on returning home, commenced an apprenticeship in the printing trade. In 1956, the family moved again, this time to Ilford, in East London. John soon met his wife to be, Maureen of Kingtson upon Thames in 1957. They were married in 1959 and moved around England following work. The family now with five children, Susan, Michael, Sally, Maria and David, emigrated to Canada in 1967, settling in Galt, Ontario. Subsequently, they then moved to BC in 1968, settling in the Vancouver area. The family travelled out from Ontario on a CN family travel ticket for only $149. John decided to leave the printing trade in 1980 and became a transit operator in Vancouver. He just happened to be the first hired employee of the new Metro Transit company, later BC Transit. John and Maureen loved to travel and visited many areas of the world. Retirement in 2001, took John and Maureen to Osoyoos, BC and in 2016, came the final big move, this time to settle in the Hat. They also loved to snowbird, and for some years owned a property in Yucca Valley, California. It was there that they found a 1957 London taxi for sale and many years were spent on restoring this classic car. For a while, they also owned a preserved special bus in England with trips over to the UK to rally the vehicle that were very much enjoyed. John is survived by his beloved wife of sixty-two years, Maureen; five children; eleven grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his parents, Arthur and Edna Royle and his younger brother, Gordon Royle. The family would like to thank Dr. C. Aniagu, Father Francis Tran and all of the medical staff at St. Joseph’s Hospice for their kindness. Due to covid restrictions, both Vigil Prayers and the Funeral Mass will be by invitation only. Vigil Prayers will be recited at Cook Southland Funeral Chapel, 901 – 13 Street S.W., Medicine Hat on Monday, December 13, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Family Parish, 1451 Strachan Road S.E., Medicine Hat, on Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. with Father Francis Tran celebrant. Those wishing to join the family virtually and experience the Funeral Mass are invited to watch via live-stream by connecting to YouTube and searching: Medicine Hat Holy Family Church and selecting the video link. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery. (Condolences may be expressed by visiting www.cooksouthland.com) Memorial donations in John’s name may be made directly to the Canadian Cancer Society, 200 – 325 Manning Road N.E, Calgary, AB, T2E 2P5. Honoured to serve the family is

Cook Southland Funeral Chapel Crematorium & Reception Facility, 901 – 13th Street S.W. Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4V4 Phone 403-527-6455 www.cooksouthland.com “Locally owned & directed”