Roy Stanley Waddington

Roy Stanley Waddington died peacefully at Amica, Little Lake in Barrie on January 21, 2025, at the age of 95. Beloved husband of the late Jean Waddington, Roy will be greatly missed by his three children and their spouses Don (Susan Waddington), Anne (Bob Emptage) and Vicki (John Fioretti), his eight grandchildren, Chris and Laura Waddington, Beth, Glen, and Emily Emptage, and Sophie, Michael, and James Fioretti as well as his eight great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Dean Waddington, Olivia, Alison, and Nora McCague, Sadie Emptage and Jack and William Mansson. He will also be sorely missed by his surviving sister, Jean Moffett and his extended family.

Roy was born in North Bay, Ontario on December 8, 1929, to Elsie and Stanley Waddington. He loved his two sisters, Jean and Gail, dearly and they remained his lifelong friends. Roy had a happy childhood, often recounting stories of the antics he and his friends got into as they played in North Bay. He developed a love of downhill skiing, memories of which stayed with him until his last days. At the age of 13, his family moved to Toronto, where Roy attended Malvern Collegiate High School. He completed his education at the University of Toronto where he graduated in 1952 with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Following his graduation, Roy began his career with the Canadian National Railways where he met the love of his life and best friend, Jean (Gay). Jean was a newly hired librarian at the CNR’s research lab, and as Roy would tell it, he was told “it was now worthwhile to check out the library”. Wasting no time, they became fast friends and were married the following year, 1953.

Roy’s career moved his family regularly, from Montreal to Toronto, Capreol, Oakville, and Winnipeg. A highlight of his career at the CNR was an assignment in Nairobi, Kenya where he worked as part of the team assisting the East African Railways. Following his retirement in 1986, Roy and Jean moved to Huntsville where they lived for the remainder of their lives. Once settled in Huntsville, Roy began the most enjoyable time of his career as an independent consultant, which gave him the opportunity to work in several countries in Africa, China, and Bangladesh, to name a few.

After retiring from his second career, Roy became involved in the Huntsville community, using his professional experience to chair the committee to develop the Lake Plan for Fairy Lake Association, serve as a member of the Board of Directors for Lakeland Holdings and aiding in the relocation and development of the Portage Flyer tourist train.

Leisure time for Roy and Jean centred around family, travel, and their love of the outdoors including biking, cross-country skiing and long walks. Roy’s day was regularly capped off with his glass of scotch, sharing time with his wife, family and friends.

Roy will be remembered for his intelligence, sense of humour, and his courteous nature. He was a wonderful family man, an excellent employee and above all, a true gentleman.

cremation has taken place and the family will be arranging a private Celebration of Life at a later date.

Memorial donations can be made to The Alzheimer’s Society.