Roy Bartlett

Roy Alderson BARTLETT, age 87, passed peacefully at his home in Almonte, Ontario on Saturday, December 12, 2020.  He is predeceased by his wife Joan, 2012 and son Ross, 2017 (Janice) and brother, Earl.   He leaves behind his sister Loral (the late George), son Ken (the late Sam, 2012)  daughter Kim (Eduardo), and honorary daughter, Gwen MacLean.  Roy enjoyed being “Grandad” to Luis, Kierstin, Astrid, Quinn and Samantha and was thrilled to be promoted to “Great” with the arrival of Rory and Emanuel Roy.

Roy was born in Ottawa to William and Edith Bartlett on August 16, 1933, the second of three adventurous children in a family that used imagination and laughter to face the hardship of the late Depression years. At Ottawa Technical High School Roy excelled academically and athletically in:  hockey (most often as goalie), basketball (at six foot four inches, he had to play) and baseball. In 1955, Roy married his heart's desire, Joan Monkman who had fallen for his blue eyes and comedic delivery. Side by side through all kinds of weather, Joan was his biggest fan and toughest critic.  He loved her deeply, respected her intelligence and admired her social ease.

Roy thought that a career in Accounting would provide security for his young family and so signed on with Taxation in the federal government. He earned a Certified General Accounting degree in 1962, only to find that he did not really like working with numbers. Luckily, he found the path to his true calling; Human Resource Development, particularly the training of top government executives.  His special talents led him to several government departments and to London, England for a year in 1970, with family in tow. In 1990, he concluded his government career at the Canadian Centre for Management (his favorite job). Roy became his own boss in 1991 on Beechcliffe Ave., teaching management at Algonquin College, Ottawa University and to a cohort of MBA students in Hong Kong. He adored being called “Professor”.

It would seem that such a career would leave little space for children but Roy was instrumental in developing the imaginations of his kids with his fantastic stories and drawings, his appreciation of music, many creative projects and his incredible Halloween creations on Ferguson Street. He was immensely proud of his children and cherished their independence, ambitions and originality.

Roy was a world traveler and enjoyed the big cities of Montreal, New York, London and Paris, yet in 2005, he and Joan easily settled into the smaller, slower town of Almonte. He volunteered with his dog, Brewster and joined the Arts Council. After Joan overcame a frightening health crisis, the pair moved to the Waterside Residence in Carleton Place where life was trouble-free and happy until 2012 when Joan took a bad turn and died on Christmas day of the same year. Instead of withdrawing in sadness, Roy “seized the day” (as Joan would have wanted), visiting Paris and the sacred Yankee Stadium, for the first time, in his 80th year. Later, Roy migrated with a few Waterside friends to Orchardview in Almonte.  He found there an excellent team of caregivers and creative administrators. He was pleased to be able to resume his hobby of showing movies.

When his youngest son Ross died suddenly at the age of 50, Roy struggled to find the   logic or reason, but there was none. He was deeply wounded and never fully processed the loss nor accepted Ross’ fate. In 2019, Roy suffered a back injury and was hospitalized for 7 months after which he faced his chronic pain with humour, occasional cursing and courage. He regularly expressed appreciation for those helping him: his doctor Graeme McKillop, other health professionals, PSWs, friends and family. He recognized the bravery of those working under the threat of COVID.

Roy loved: Renoir, Van Gogh, Manhattan cocktails, cashmere sweaters, jazz, meaty man pizzas, Charles Dickens, movies, Nat King Cole, Sinatra and the New York Yankees. He was loving and engaged in life to the very end.

Due to COVID, a private gathering of invited family only will take on Friday, December 18, at Tubman Funeral Homes, followed by the interment at Pinecrest Cemetery. Condolences and tributes may be posted at www.tubmanfuneralhomes.com. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Canadian Red Cross.

A celebration befitting Roy will take place later, when circumstances permit. If you wish to be invited to the event, please send a request to roybartlett.celebrationoflife@gmail.com

If you do not have email, please contact Kim or Ken by phone or mail.