Roy Campbell Denny passed away peacefully August 28th in his 101st year. Born November 24th, 1909 into a large pioneering family, Dad spent a happy childhood in a home overlooking Gonzales Bay in Victoria. His childhood beach adventures instilled a lifelong passion for boating and the sea. He married Helen Catherine Watson March 18th, 1939 and they shared 70 years of love and devotion to family before her passing March 16th, 2009. He was predeceased by parents Arthur and May Denny, brother Tom, sisters Doreen (infant) and Eleanor (Stenner). He is survived by his children, Derek Denny (Lene), Sue McGorman (Bruce), Cathy Denny (David Anderson) and John Denny (Sharon); seven grandchildren, Kyle Denny (Heather Clark), Kwyn Maxwell (Aaron), Simon, Dane and Danica Straith, Lee and Shannon Denny; four great-grandsons, Nathan and Aidan Denny and Noah and Keaton Maxwell. Roy is also survived by cousin Doris Davenport (Larry), in-laws Dorie and Al Salter of Edmonton, Elsie Adamson of Victoria and numerous nieces and nephews. Roy and his brother Tom owned Standard Furniture, a Victoria business begun by their father in 1909. During World War Two Roy served as Lieutenant Commander in the navy (V.R.) on Corvettes and Fairmiles on the North Atlantic convoys. Upon retirement from the furniture business, Roy took up watercolour painting, at which he became very proficient, still exhibiting and selling his art at age 100! “Papa ” was a lifelong learner, a prolific and extensive world traveller. He was a highly principled man with a poet’s heart. Not one to sit still, he was happiest outside, sailing, exploring or puttering on boats or at the family cottage in Ardmore. He was our loving patriarch with endless patience, wisdom and humour. He lived his life to the fullest. He was devoted to his family and served as an extraordinary role model. We will miss him forever. Roy was very active in the community in many ways, including past president of the Victoria Rotary Club, member of the Union Club, Royal Victoria Yacht Club, Probus and the Victoria Sketch Club, with whom he shared a century. Special thanks to both Dr. Rosenberg and the staff at Sunrise for the tremendous care and understanding during the three and a half years he lived there. A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:30 p.m., September 9th at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club, 3475 Ripon Road. Flowers gratefully declined but for those so wishing, a donation to the Cancer Society or the Canadian Red Cross would be greatly appreciated.
Leave Condolence