Roy Allen Roberts

With a heart that knew no stranger, Roy Allen Roberts, age 71, lived his life with robust enthusiasm, honesty, and a genuine affinity for others. Roy embraced each day with tremendous enthusiasm and enjoyed every moment shared with his treasured family and friends. Roy’s passion for his family, work, and the outdoors was evident to all who knew him. His tremendous sense of humor will inspire joyful, laughter-filled memories for many years. With his unique style, Roy inspired those around him to find the fun in life and to treasure, the present moment; “here’s to ya and to ya again, if we don’t get to it to do it again.”1946 was a year marked by much celebration and hope. With the victorious end of World War II, families tuned into the celebratory tunes of Bing Crosby, Perry Como, and the Andrews Sisters, while children delighted in the debut of the slinky. While the nation relished in a renewed sense of peace and newfound hope, even greater promise for the future was celebrated by Oliver W. and Edith Louise Hart (Thomas) Robert as they welcomed their son Roy into their hearts and home on March 25th.Independence Township was home for Roy in his early years. This is where he shared the good company of his brother, Ronnie, and learned his life-long love of the outdoors. Roy relished in riding horses every day of the year, working his summers on the Hilliker Farm, and meticulously tending to his car. While working his days at Tom Cross Ford Garage, Roy’s weekends were spent at the Tastee-Freeze.After proudly graduating Hopewell High School with the Class of 1964, Roy began his career as an accomplished millwright with LTV Steel Aliquippa Works. Here Roy’s “coffee business” helped meet his co-workers’ desire for drinkable coffee and also afforded Roy the extra cash he needed for his boat. Roy worked many hours without complaint and formed many treasured life-long relationships with his buddies whom he dubbed with special nicknames and to whom he was fondly known as, “Banjo Ass.”Roy’s zest for life and infinite sense of humor was most evident in his vast collection of phrases affectionately known as Roy-isms. To anyone who knew him, Roy’s humor was a tremendous gift. He could easily inspire a smile with an enthusiastic, “let’s went” or a departing, “We’re see ya!” Roy never failed to get a giggle upon declaring that he wanted “a wiener on a hot dog!” or that he “gotta nose like a beagle.” Whether Roy was reminiscing how he sat on a “cindo-will” and would “clumb a tree” in his youth, or telling the story of his grandmother’s battle with “sugar beets” (diabetes), his listeners were always left with a bit more joy in their hearts for the gift of Roy’s playfulness.With a deep respect for nature, Roy’s life was built on a firm foundation of love for the outdoors. An avid hunter, many of Roy’s happiest days were spent in the woods of Tionesta and Mayburg in the Allegheny National Forest, hunting deer, turkey, bear, and small game. Fishing for trout in Lake Erie and the Cranberry River in West Virginia was also a pastime for Roy. With great care, Roy spent long hours happily tending to his pristine vegetable garden that produced a bountiful harvest every year. Nothing tasted better to Roy than his greens which he was always eager to show off, “have you seen my garden?”Growing up with his sons and daughters proved one of Roy’s greatest privileges and joys. As a father, Roy’s dedication was abundantly clear. He instilled the value of honesty by his own good example and did the hard work of dispensing tough love when necessary. His children quickly learned their dad’s careful art of teasing and torturing those he loved best. With a “Here, taste this,” “Who cooks for you? Who cooks for you all?!” an “OK…Google,” the retelling of “that telephone pole Jennifer hit was as big as this table!” and the dodging of responsibility for all things lost with his predictable, “it’s Craig’s fault,” Roy’s affectionate teasing validated his love of others. Over the years it came to be known that Tim was Roy’s “good son,” Kurt was his “favorite,” and Craig was his “buddy.” Though Roy frequently lamented in good humor that, “I’ve been raising kids my whole life!\” it was clear that he was proud and honored to be a dad. This pride and honor only grew upon becoming a grandfather. Corvin, Caitlyn, Cole, Isabella, and Aidan proved Roy’s heart’s delight.Truly, Roy was a man who recognized and celebrated the extraordinary in the ordinary and in so doing has blessed his family with a vibrant legacy of wonderful memories. Whether remembering how he always fell asleep in HIS chair with a crumb covered belly and floor, recalling the sound of him calling out, “Hey Jane, pick me up a case of beer,” or the way he’d shake off the cold with a vigorous “Brrrrrrrr…” a smile of delight and fond memory is sure to be inspired.Without a doubt, Roy’s unexpected departure has many wishing for just one more season. May their hearts be comforted by the faith that Roy has peacefully arrived at Eternity’s majestic woods where he is fondly reminiscing his time with his loved ones while enjoying the “top of the line” digs with a smile of gratitude and heart filled with love. May additional comfort come in each walk in the woods, casting a line, harvesting of the vegetables, and sweet memory of Roy’s confident assurance that, “you’ll feel better after it quits hurting.”OBITUARY:Roy Allen Roberts, 71, of Hanover Township, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday Afternoon, April 11, 2017. His passing occurred at Heritage Valley Beaver. Roy will be sadly missed by his beloved wife, Jane Brown Roberts; three sons, Timothy Roberts of Hanover Township, Kurt Roberts and his wife, Steffanie, of Aliquippa, and his ‘best buddy’, Craig Roberts of Hanover Township; two daughters, Jennifer Miller of Beaver and Rebecca Falk Shirkey and her husband, Chad, of Newark, OH; five grandchildren, Corvin Miller, Caitlyn and Cole Shirkey, Isabella Ciaccio-Roberts and Aidan Roberts and a favorite brother-in-law, Sam Brown, Jr.In addition to his parents, Roy was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Roberts.Friends will be received Saturday from 1 p.m. until the time of service at 5 p.m. in Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca. His pastor, Reverend Kevin Neal, will officiate. Roy will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.The family has suggested memorial donations may be made, if desired, to Mt. Olivet Presbyterian Cemetery Fund, 4128 Route 151, Aliquippa, PA 15001.To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.