It is with great sadness that we have to announce the passing of Leonard (Roy) Switzer on Thursday July 1st at 2:45 pm at the age of 86. Roy was predeceased by his loving wife Violet in March of 2000. Roy is survived by his sons Roy (Shirley), Ken (Sharon), and his daughters Susan Clarke (Frank), and Janie Carrier (Steve). He is also survived by his brother Ken (Nora).
Roy was born in Latchford, Ontario where he worked as a butcher and in a lumber yard. He enlisted in the army at age 18 and was stationed in Holland as a mechanic. He learned his trade there and was a successful mechanic ever since. He married Violet in 1946 and spent his early years working as a mechanic in New Liskard and Cobalt, Ontario. Roy and his family moved to Dryden in 1966 to take a job with Carter Construction to help build the Sioux Lookout highway. He liked the Dryden area so he applied for and got a job working in the bush camps for the Dryden Paper Mill. He left the company in 1976 to take a job at Sheridan Equipment where he excelled as a heavy equipment mechanic until he had suffered a stroke that ended his working life. He remained busy working on carpentry projects with his son Ken and commented that if he had to do it all over again, he would have enjoyed a trade working with wood.
Roy spent his last few years living in Pinecrest Home for the Aged in Kenora where he was visited often by his family and good friends, Matt Cederwall, Nick Friesen, and Ron and Judy Nickle. He absolutely loved the nurses and staff and they, in turn, treated him with the love and affection that they would give their own loved ones.
He will be missed by all who knew him.
There will be no Visitation, as cremation has taken place.
A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday July 7th, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. at the Dryden Community Funeral Home Chapel with Velma Henderson officiating.
If friends so desire, donations may be made to the Pinecrest Home for the Aged through Dryden Community Funeral Home 249 Grand Trunk Ave., Dryden, ON P8N 2X3.
Expressions of Sympathy may be sent to dcfh@drytel.net Subject heading: Switzer
