Paul Emile Roy Jr.

Paul Roy, age 77, died unexpectedly early Christmas morning. He was born on December 18, 1942, to Paul & Harriette (Sorensen) Roy, the oldest of their four sons. The family lived in Cascade, and he was in the first graduating class of what is now Forest Hills Central. His educational pursuits led him to Mexico where he earned his first Master's degree, in Latin American History. While in Mexico he became a master fencer and obtained a third degree black belt in Judo. His education continued later in life, with an MBA and a PhD in management. Always hard-working, and continuously employed from the age of 14, he paid for his education, performing any job he could obtain; heavy construction, golf course maintenance, textbook translation, playing trumpet in Dixieland and Mariachi bands, and driving a taxicab. He began his career in West Michigan working 4 years at Muskegon Catholic Central, teaching Spanish, serving as dean of students, and coaching football and wrestling. He married the love of his life, Patti Stariha, on July 2, 1977. Paul worked for Muskegon County for almost 40 years, serving as the director of numerous departments, most notably workforce development, economic development, and facilities management. Some of his proudest achievements there include being instrumental in the reclamation/transformation of the industrial area currently known as Heritage Landing and its designation as a county park, bringing the first Muskegon Irish Festival to that location, and facilitating the property exchange between Downtown Baker College and the Muskegon Regional Center, allowing for the expansion of Baker Facilities and the creation of the County's South Campus. Paul developed innovative programs in workforce and economic development in Muskegon and Oceana counties. This earned him numerous statewide and national memberships, awards, and recognition, and he was in demand as a consultant nationally and internationally. He will be remembered for his devotion to, and fierce protection of his family, as well as his quick wit, outrageous sense of humor, and ability to tell a great story. It was this sense of humor that helped him endure the last ten years of his life, when he was disabled and unable to participate in golf (despite maintaining his longtime membership at White Lake Golf Club), international travel, or to visit his beloved Mexico. SURVIVORS Often referred to as "a force of nature", and "larger than life", he will be mourned by many, but especially by his wife, Dr. Patricia Roy; their daughter, Jennifer (Brett) Layne-Roy; brothers, William and Robert Roy; sister-in-law, Sandy Roy Spangler (widow of Steve), and many nieces and nephews, including his Favorite Nephew Chris. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, J. Stephen. SERVICE Per Paul's wishes, cremation has taken place; despite his wishes, the family will hold a memorial event at Heritage Landing sometime around Cinco de Mayo. Instead of flowers, the family requests that anyone wishing to honor Paul's memory makes a more permanent tribute instead. Donations can be made to the Paul E. Roy Memorial Fund through the Community Foundation of Muskegon, which will allow for the creation of a scholarship fund for career and technical training.