LEWISTON – Aurel Joseph Roy, 93, of Lewiston died peacefully Thursday, April 12, in company of loving family at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center in Lewiston, following a short illness.

He was born in Frenchville on Oct. 13, 1913, the son of Joseph and Laura (Michaud) Roy, the tenth of 17 children.

He grew up on a large farm and attended elementary school in Frenchville. As a young adult, he left the farm during the winter months and worked as a lumberjack in the Allagash Region of northern Maine for nearly a decade.

On Jan. 22, 1941, he entered the U.S. Army to serve his country during World War II, attaining the rank of Private First Class. He received his honorable discharge from the Army on Dec. 19, 1945.

On Dec. 26, 1942, Aurel married Lucienne Marie Albert of Claire, New Brunswick, Canada.

Following his war service, Aurel and Lucienne settled in Lewiston to raise their future family. He was employed in the shoe manufacturing business in Lewiston and Freeport for many years, and became a master sample shoe hand sewer. He was honored to be selected to hand sew a special pair of hunting boots for Boston Red Sox baseball legend Ted Williams.

When the region lost its shoe manufacturing operations, Aurel was then employed as a custodian at Lewiston City Hall. He then became a non-sworn employee of the Lewiston Police Department, maintaining highway signage and pavement markings, servicing parking meters and department cruisers, and operating the department rescue boat. Following retirement from the Lewiston Police Department, he kept himself busy with personal hobbies around home.

Aurel was a member of the Fr. Louis J. Fortier Council No. 106 Knights of Columbus and MSGR Thomas H. Wallace Assembly No. 0338 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was the commander of the Fourth Degree Honor Guard for 22 years and was extremely proud of his members as they garnered many awards for excellence at parades and other functions. Upon his retirement as commander, the MSGR Wallace Assembly established the Commander Aurel J. Roy Award that is presented annually to an Honor Guard member that has faithfully served the Honor Guard for a period of at least 15 years.

Aurel was also a life member of Lewiston Memorial Post No. 22 The American Legion, a member of League du Saint Nom, and a member of Association Canado-Americaine.

He was a past member of the Lewiston Lodge of Elks, past member of L’Assumption, and a past member of the Richelieu Club.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 64 years, Lucienne, of Lewiston; a sister, Leontine Boucher of Washington, Utah; three brothers, Edgar Roy of Madawaska, Emil Roy of Bristol, Conn., and Emay Roy of New Britain, Conn.; four children, Constance and husband, Albert L. Godfrey Sr., of Winthrop, son, Gilbert Roy and wife, Priscilla, of Casco, son, Ronald Roy and wife, Nancy, of Mansfield, Mass. (currently residing in Oxford, England U.K.), and daughter, Jacqueline Roy-Lamiette of Auburn; eight grandchildren, John Godfrey of Brooklyn, N.Y., Christopher Roy of Bridgton, Nicholas Roy of Naples, Michelle Roy of Portland, Caitlyn Roy of Boston, Mass., Sydney Roy of Boston, Mass. (currently residing in Oxford, England U.K.), Kirsten Lamiette of Auburn, and Meredith Lamiette of Auburn; five step-grandchildren, Albert L. Godfrey Jr. of Gardiner, Lawrence Godfrey of Auburn, Jacqueline Douglas of Poland, Regina Small of Auburn, and Sarah Lamiette of Shawnee, Kan.; two great-grandchildren; seven step-great-grandchildren; two step-great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Aurel was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Laura Michaud Roy; six brothers, Patrick Roy, Donat Roy, Dave Roy, Leonard Roy, Leo Roy and Gilbert Roy; six sisters, Yvonne Roy, Mary Jean Cyr, Alma Toulouse, Laurie Morneault, Agnes Fongemie and Leanne Roy; son-in-law, Gerard N. Lamiette Jr.; and step-great-grandson, Troy Ellis.

Aurel will be sadly missed by his family and friends. May his great faith in God and devotion to Mary bring him much happiness in his new life with all of the angels and saints.