Obituary of Roy Pedersen

Roy Pedersen, a longtime resident of Thiells, NY, passed away peacefully after receiving holy communion with his wife Betty on Thursday, February 3, 2022, just shy of his 90th birthday.  He joins in heaven many friends and family members, including his parents Henrick and Bella and two sisters Joan and Arlene, who have certainly pranked him upon his arrival.

Roy was a devoted husband to Betty, his wife of 69 years. He was a loving father to their five children and their families and a proud “Poppy” to his six adult grandchildren.   

A born and bred New Yorker and proud veteran, Roy had a varied and diverse career. Roy joined the Navy to serve on the USS Wisconsin during the Korean War, where he earned his GED. He began his career as an elevator mechanic and later served as a plant manager, a data processing manager, and a Management Information Systems Director. He enrolled at Columbia University while working at Lamont Laboratories and raising his growing family. During his retirement, he started Rent-A-Hubby, a home improvement company. He was also a Eucharist Minister and established a Perpetual Adoration program at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church. However, the roles which brought him the greatest joy and achievement were delighting families as a certified clown, cooking meals for loved ones, and bringing hope to inmates as a Prison Ministry Director. 

Roy will be remembered for his bear hugs, his homemade breads and chili, and his dry-wit. He saw the purple in trees, all the colors of an egg, and what makes people sparkle. Roy was also a master back massager, a Lord of the Rings enthusiast, a dreamer, and a life-long tinkerer.

In 1951, Roy met his soulmate at a church dance. Since then, Betty and Roy have been wonderful role models for a loving, God-centered family. Besides his wife, he leaves behind his five children, Jim, Bill, Rick (Jacqui), Rob, Kristine (Dave); his six grandchildren, Kaila, Hanna, Seraya, Zach, Emily and Sarah; his sister, Dorothy; his nieces and nephew, Donna, Caryl (Tim), Linda, Connie, and Billy; members of Betty’s large family (too many to name), including her sister, Margie; members of their prayer circle, and many other godchildren, in-laws, cousins, nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and strays.

Roy’s remarkable life and legacy of love and caring will be celebrated from 3-7pm on Tuesday, February 8th at TJ McGowan Funeral Home, 71 North Central Highway, Garnerville, NY.  A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, February 9th at 11:00 am at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church at 21 Cinder Road in Garnerville, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, please instead make a contribution to a charity of your choice in Roy’s name.