Roy Sterling

Roy Sterling Burrell, 86, of 719 Scott St., Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Thursday, April 21, 2005 at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
He was born April 6, 1919 in Boseman, Man. to the late Harry and Amy Burrell. Roy moved to the J.A. Mathieu mill site with his family until he started elementary school in Fort Frances. He later graduated from Fort Frances High School with Honours.
In his younger years, Roy was very active in hockey, fishing, and hunting. On June 16, 1945, he was united in marriage to Dorothy Campbell.
He later worked as a sawyer and time keeper for J.A. Mathieu and also in the office as bookkeeper. Roy was well-known for his bookkeeping services that he provided for many of the businesses in the area.
He also worked for Indian Affairs, as the town assessor, and as a Canada Customs officer in Fort Frances until his retirement.
For several years, Roy was secretary-treasurer of the old Fort Frances Golf and Country Club, and Fort Frances Curling Club, of which he was awarded life membership.
He also was a member of the Oddfellows Lodge C.P.&T. (Humanitarian Services) and a very active member of Knox United Church.
Roy was a very devoted husband and father, and always had time for his family. He was witty and had an excellent sense of humour, and was a great story-teller.
He was predeceased by one sister, Edna Avis; one brother-in-law, Allan Avis; step-mother, Velda Burrell; and son-in-law, Claude M. DeBenedet.
Roy is survived by his wife, Dorothy Burrell of Fort Frances, Ont.; three daughters, Mary (Dale) Cooper of Fort Frances, Ont., Patricia (Ron) Frenette of Mississauga, Ont., and Amy Wreggitt of Fort Frances, Ont.; and one son, James Burrell (Joanne) of Thunder Bay, Ont.
Also surviving are eight grandchildren, Dr. Neil Cooper (Tannis), Jon Cooper (Miranda), Bradley Frenette (Martha), Cameron Frenette, Jamie Wreggitt, Danny Burrell, Melissa Burrell, and Nicholas Burrell; three great-grandchildren, Lane, Jaden, and Erica; cousins, Harold and Dori Dennis of Mine Centre, Ont.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, April 26, 2005 at 1 p.m. at Knox United Church in Fort Frances, followed by funeral services at 2 p.m. Rev. Marietta Marshall will officiate, with interment in Riverview Cemetery in Fort Frances.
A memorial service will be performed by the Oddfellows. Soloist will be Kathy Mueller, accompanied by May Ann Kalar and the church choir.
The pallbearers will be Wilf Sanders, Ormond Cooper, Claude DeBenedet, Barry Cox, Mike O’Leary, Roy Avis, Gordon Dyrland, and John Brunetta.
The honourary pallbearers will be Jon Cooper, Jamie Wreggitt, Daniel Burrell, Nicholas Burrell, Melissa Burrell, Bradley Frenette, Cameron Frenette, and Dr. Neil Cooper.
Should family and friends so desire, in memoriam donations may be made to either the Knox United Church (for the lift), 340 Church St., Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 1E1, or to the charity of your choice.