Roy Edwin Alvis

In Loving Memory of
Roy Edwin 
Alvis
age 98
beloved husband of the late Agnes Alvis
beloved dad to Owen & Vernon

Died 
October 13, 2019
Evergreen Place P.C.H
Boissevain, Manitoba

Memorial Service
Monday, October 21, 2019
St. Matthew’s Anglican Church
  Boissevain, Manitoba 
                      2:00 p.m.                   

Private Interment~ Boissevain Cemetery

Donations in memory of  Roy may be 
made to the St. Matthew’s Anglican Church 
or to a charity of one’s choice.

Roy Edwin Alvis was born on March 10, 1921 at the family farmhouse located at 8-2-20 in the Lake Max district.  He was the first born of John and Nellie Alvis.  He, along with his siblings Wilfred (1923-2017) and sister Doreen (1926-2008) attended Lake Max School.  During the difficult economic times of the 1920’s and 1930’s, they worked alongside their parents to clear land and work with livestock to further develop the family farm.  As a teenager, Roy continued farming with his father and younger brother Wilfred.  
Roy joined the Canadian Army in May of 1942.  He had a sense of pride and duty in doing so, as his father was a decorated soldier of the Canadian Army in WW1.  Roy was a member of the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals, serving as a signalman.  He did his basic training in Fort Garry and in Kingston, Ontario before taking a ship to Glasgow, Scotland and moving on to further training at Aldershot, England.  He served in Scotland; Caen, France; Ghent and Antwerp, Belgium and several spots in Holland.  
While stationed in England, would meet a young Irish gal named Agnes Keenan.  They were married in Surrey, England in April of 1945. Roy was discharged from duty in January 1946 and returned to Canada.  His war bride Agnes followed and on April 1, 1946 arriving by ship at Halifax and then by train to Boissevain.  They began their 39 years of mixed farming and raising their family.  Roy was active in the community as a school trustee, a 4-H club leader, and a member of the Boissevain Legion.  Roy enjoyed mixed farming of grain and cattle in the Lake Max District and was always interested in learning about new farm techniques and trends.  He was well read, enjoyed following news items, and maintained a keen understanding of world and local community events.  He and Agnes retired from the farm and moved into Boissevain in 1985.  They enjoyed life in Boissevain where they were able to become more involved in the Legion, their churches, and various community activities.  They also enjoyed traveling over the years to Alberta to visit family there   They were very impressed with Alberta and its mountainous beauty and managed to enjoy the majestic views in the Rockies several times over the years.  
Roy’s health began to deteriorate in the late 1980’s and he eventually found himself with afflicted with chronic issues of mobility and balance.  In 2000, Agnes, his wife of 56 years passed away.  Following this great loss, Dad chose to stay living alone in his house for the next 8 years.  He moved to Evergreen Place in 2008 where he remained until his passing on October 13, 2019.  During his years at Evergreen, he remained completely positive regarding his health situation and never once complained.  He enjoyed the staff and showed his sense of humor and wit in his daily interactions with the staff and visitors as well.  He often commented on the quality of the staff and the care they provided.  Our community is truly blessed to have this facility and their most professional, compassionate and caring staff.
Dad was an honest, caring, and hard working man of faith who lived a full and productive life in a quiet and reserved manner while always maintaining integrity and contentment.  He had a great love for the land and the importance of agriculture to our world.  He showed pride in the accomplishments of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren and would always show positive interest and support of their activities.  He and Agnes showed open respect, love and admiration of daughters-in-law Amy and Alana and their respective families.   As a WW2 veteran, Roy wasn’t open to discuss details of wartime events and activities, as this was to remain private to him.  He loved his Legion activities and contributed to that important organization for many years.  He was one of the very few remaining WW2 veterans in this Boissevain community and we all need to respect and never forget the great sacrifice of all of those brave souls from whose willingness and bravery we all enjoy our great quality of life.  
Roy was pre-deceased by his parents: John Alvis (1965) & Nellie Alvis (2002); his wife Agnes in 2000; his sister Doreen in 2008; and his brother Wilfred in 2017.  Roy is survived by his two sons - Owen (Amy); Vernon (Alana); 5 grandchildren - Denise (Ryan) Albrecht; Adam (Krystal) Alvis; Todd (Lindsay) Alvis; Cole (Jason Goudreau) Alvis; Megan (Jonathan) Loewen; 10 great grandchildren - Dylan and Griffin Albrecht; Addison & Cooper Alvis; Audrey, Rachael and Evan Loewen; Merrick Alvis; James and Jordyn Harpell; his sister-in-law Doreen Alvis, numerous nieces and nephews, plus several cousins in England.  
Thanks Dad for you love and numerous contributions to your family, your community, and your country.  Rest now and we shall meet again.
A private interment will be held at the Boissevain Cemetery prior to the memorial service which will be at 2:00 pm on Monday, October 21st 2019 at St. Matthew’s Anglican Church in Boissevain.  A reception will follow at the Parish Hall.
The Alvis family would like to extend our deepest gratitude to Dr. Nell, the Home Care staff, the Handi Van drivers, Wheatland Funeral Service, and the entire staff at Evergreen Place for their years of professionalism, friendship, attentiveness and loving care.  In lieu of flowers, it was Roy’s request that donations be made to St. Matthew’s Anglican Church, PO Box 84, Boissevain, Manitoba R0K 0E0, or to the charity of your choice.