One Man's Journey – Emile Roy (1914-1992) continued...

Emile and sleigh, c.1935

The following excerpts are drawn from the 1994 book Nootsie, The Life of Ernest Emile Roy (1914-1992) written by J. Paul-Emile Roy, CA. This is Part Two. Read more in Part One.

Working with nature can be hazardous to your health. On many occasions, it certainly proved to be so for Emile Roy. It’s a good thing he was a “cat with nine lives,” otherwise he may not have survived the many catastrophes that would have meant the end for a lesser man. For example, as a teenager, his leg was badly mangled by a hay bailing machine. A few years later, the heavily loaded sleigh he was driving overturned on a steep hill sending pulp logs flying in all directions and leaving the team of horses lying on their backs with their legs in the air. And, as a young man driving a brand new truck, he was hit broadside by a train.

Emile and bulldozer on frozen lake, c.1940s

Later in life, the bulldozer he was operating in late winter broke through the ice and plummeted 40 feet to the bottom of the lake. In middle age, he fell from the top of a logging truck in the remote bush and broke his shoulder in several places. As a senior, he narrowly missed being crushed by the bucket of a backhoe, although it did serious damage to his leg. These are only some of the misfortunes and hardships he experienced. It is no wonder that he could often be heard swearing a litany in French.

Emile clearing land, c.1980s

Emile was never a violent man, so his bark was certainly worse than his bite. On the positive side, it may be said that swearing has this advantage - when you use it, most people understand exactly how you feel. His wife, Angeline, never gave up trying to reform his bunkhouse language. Then again, he didn't seem to mind one little bit when she chided him and lovingly referred to her as “Woman.”

Emile in photo held by Angeline, his wife

Though he seldom let on, Emile was a deeply religious man. Throughout his life, but especially in his youth, he enjoyed singing in the church choir. Maybe it was the medallion of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that he carried around that inspired him. And, maybe it was the evening rosary that he often prayed with Angeline that helped him to face life’s burdens one day at a time.

On his journey through life, Emile was never alone. He always had his family at heart, as evidenced by the fact that he carried around a list of his eight children’s names and telephone numbers in his wallet, just in case he had to get in touch with them. There were many landmarks on that journey. Some were triumphs and some were tragedies. They are worth telling and remembering. After all, he was special, my dad!