Roy Paulsen
On April 16, 2010, Roy C. Paulsen passed away peacefully at the age of 84. Survived by his loving family: daughters Ginny and Geri (Sergio) and two grandsons in Italy, Matteo and Alessandro. He will be sadly missed by nieces, nephews and many cherished friends. He was predeceased by his wife Dorothy in 2003, his parents, brother Arnie and sister Irene.
Roy was born on September 29, 1925 in Smithers, BC to Kristian and Jennie Paulsen. He spent his boyhood in Stewart, Premier and Prince Rupert. After his father’s death in 1936, he helped support his family by working at the local butcher shop in Stewart, then went on to complete high school in Vancouver. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1943, serving as a Navigator Bombardier during the war. He attended the University of British Columbia and graduated in 1950 with a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy. He worked throughout BC in Vancouver, Quesnel, Prince Rupert, Kelowna, Hope, Nanaimo, Prince George and Kamloops.
It was in Prince Rupert, on a badminton court, where he met his wife Dorothy. They were married in Kelowna on July 9, 1955 and celebrated 48 happy years together. Roy and Dot lived in Prince George, moving to Kamloops in 1969, where Roy was the pharmacist and owner of Fortune Drugs (Fortune Shopping Centre). He was a loving husband (best friend), father and grandfather. Roy and Dot traveled extensively throughout the world (especially Italy), BC and Alberta, making a special effort to spend their anniversary in Banff. He was an active member of Kamloops Lodge No. 10, Royal Arch Masons Chapter No 18, Knight Templar Preceptory No 84, Thompson Lodge of Perfection, Shrine & Gizeh Center and the Sons of Norway.
Roy had a wonderful outlook on life and always made people smile. He was warm, generous and caring.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Schoening Funeral Chapel, 513 Seymour Street, on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 2:00 pm. Reception hosted by the Eastern Star, to follow at the Masonic Hall, 351 Nicola Street.
Our heartfelt thanks to the doctors and nurses on 6 North for their kind and compassionate care.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, Unit 111, 450 Lansdowne Street, Kamloops, BC V2C 1Y3 or to the charity of one’s choice would be appreciated in his memory.
Dear Ginny & Geri, although we have never met, I wanted to pass along my deepest and heartfelt condolences. I work for Dr. Cleland and for the last 13 years I have so enjoyed your Dad. My favorite saying of his when asked how he was “Oh, you know me, Rosemary, every day is a good day”. He always liked to share his stories with us at the office about his family and his trips to Italy to see his grandsons. Your dad was one of the bright spots in our day, when we knew his was coming in for a checkup, we will join the ranks of those who will dearly miss him. My life is richer for having known him. Sincerely Rosemary Henderson
Dear Ginny & Geri
I wish I had had a chance to meet your father, your stories and description of him Ginny are a testament to what a great person he was. I think you won the father “jackpot” with him. My condolences for your loss.
Love Catherine
Roy had a wonderful approach to life. He always enjoyed helping people feel at ease. He was a very charming man, he always loved offering a smile and a little innocent joke to everyone, whether he knew them or not. We shared so many nice moments, whether travelling in B.C. or showing around different parts of Italy on the many occasions when he and Dorothy visited us. Or simply sitting at home, watching tv, talking, preparing a meal. Every day’s memories.
I met Roy when I was thirthy. I had lost my dad two years before. While no one could ever replace your dad, it is like a father that I have loved him ever since.
I really enjoyed being with him on his last visit to Stewart, the place of his boyhood, where his name still stands in the local museum along with a picture of his classroom from the 30’s. Listening to his “bear stories” when we were out camping was always one of the highlights of our trips.
All the shop owners near our place in Italy knew him. He had a gift for establishing a warm connection across the language barrier. They kept asking me about him and when he would be back again.
I know his life was full and rich, and I am glad he could live it to the end the way he wanted. Relying on his own.
I will miss him. I will miss his “impish” smiles, his stories, our quiet talks, looking at the kids play when they were smaller.
Dear Roy, rest in peace. You will be in my heart forever.
Sergio
So sorry to hear of Uncle Roy’s passing. No matter the age, there is still a very big gap in our lives. Roy, mom and Arnie all had the same love of life, and people. What a wonderful legacy for our families. May the memories help comfort you at this time. hugs from Christine, Jo-Ann and Elaine and families.
Dear Ginny and Geri, We left Kamloops in January ’08 and have just returned. I was saddened to see the obit and know I’d not have any more opportunities to visit, to hear Roy’s stories and listen to him speak of you two and his grandsons with pride. After your Mom’s death your Dad continued to drop by Kamloops United and keep in touch, and as you would expect, he shared whatever delights of life he was experiencing.
(We will be away on May 1, so send our regrets.) My sympathies to you all. A wonderful man. A great loss.
Dear Ginny an Geri Your father will be sorely missed He was a very good friend of my Mother an Father in Prince George an in Kamloops. He was not only a good friend to them he was also the best pharmacist that they ever knew. They Had many happy times together reminscing about their days in Prince George an Catching up on family news. He touched so many lives with his care an kindness. Please except my deepest sympathy. Linda Cline McLachlan
Dear Ginny and Gerri
Our sincere Condolences to the both of you on the loss of your father.Uncle Roy was a huge part of our childhood.
Hopefully Uncle Roy, Auntie Irene and Dad(Arne)are enjoying one of those famous”Norwegian cups of coffee”. Sincerly Marne Deinstadt,Brother Kris Paulsen and sister Linda Unick.
Ginny & Geri, We were so sad to hear of your Dad’s sudden passing. We both have wonderful memories of the time your Mom and he came to help us finish our Kettle Valley journey. As we enjoyed our fish & chips lunch with them, the stories that your Dad told had me laughing and wanting to spend more time listening than we had available that day. I’m so glad we had that chance to know at least a small bit of what made him such a terrific dad and a great man. He will live in our hearts.
“Roy the good boy” has always been a good grandad to us. We enjoyed spending time together, watching TV, playing board games, teasing each other and joking. It was always nice to get his phone calls on Sunday evenings especially because we could tell it made him happy as well. We will never forget our trips all over B.C. and the entertaining stories he told us. We will always miss him. A big hug from Matteo and Alessandro.
Ginny & Geri-My sincere condolences to your family. Your parents were friends from Pr. George & Kamloops Shrine Clubs. They were very special and will be missed.
Ginny and Geri
Met your Dad just a few years ago and found a man happy to have the life he had. He was always positive and happy. He always had kind words for everyone. We enjoyed a few glasses of wine together with conversation of how fortunate he felt with his girls and spouse, Dot. He to will be missed in the complex . Our condolences to both of you. Del
Caro Roy,proviamo un grande dolore perchè non potremo più vederti fisicamente e parlare con te, ma il tuo ricordo sarà presente nei nostri cuori. Non possiamo dimenticare la tua generosità, il tuo amore per la vita, il modo che avevi di scherzare specialmente con i ragazzi e, cosa ancor più rara, cercavi dicapire le persone e di pesare il meno possibile sugli altri. Caro Roy non ci diciamo addio ma arrivederci.
Hi Ginny and Geri. I am so sorry to hear about your Dad’s passing and I am thinking of you both today. I am glad that the two of you can be together at this time.
Nan
Geri and Ginny
May 1st, 2010; a day we say goodbye to your Dad. How fortunate you were to have such a wonderful Dad. I will always remember how friendly and welcoming he was when I visited your home as a teenager. “Every day was a good day” according to Mr. Paulsen. He was always positive, upbeat and witty. What a great role model. I will remember him fondly whenever I have a daiquiri or a good piece of pie. Love you guys. Darlene