Roy Stanley was born on 10th August 1939, in St. Helens, Lancashire, right at the beginning of the 2nd world war, Barbara his sister arrived 3 years later. Barbara says that he was not impressed with her and said ”I don’t want her, you can take her back”, but he did become a big brother she was immensely proud of. Roy’s parents were called Annie and Claude. Claude’s working life was affected by illness, but included working as a Bottle Sorter in the local glass works and later as a Fish Fryer in the Fish and Chip Shop on the front of their small terraced house. From humble beginnings… In Roy’s early years he gave his mum a few headaches and heart stopping moments. As a small boy he liked to get out of the house whenever possible and off on his red tricycle with mum in hot pursuit. Then there was his mastoid operation that went wrong (leaving him deaf in one ear), his falling down stairs from top to bottom and the old fashioned wringer he managed to push over - also his stomach cramps when learning to swim- these are just a few of those anxious moments. Unsurprisingly, given his place of birth, Roy was a lifelong fan of St Helen’s Rugby League Club. It was therefore very pleasing, and a lot of fun, for the family to be able to take him to watch them play a few times on the hallowed turf of Knowsley Road. Roy left St Mary’s school in his mid-teens and all he wanted to do was work on a farm. After several months following his dream he was persuaded to do an apprenticeship at an engineering firm. He had to cycle 10+ miles there and back plus studying 3 nights a week night school, finally achieving electrical and mechanical engineering qualifications. There were few comforts or luxuries as his father had heart problems and spent some time in hospitals. Despite this his father had a great sense of humour that Roy inherited. In his late teens Roy became very committed to his Christian faith, working mainly in village (outreach) work, youth work, camps and clubs and mountain leadership. This is where he met Joy. They were married in 1963 and blessed with Kathryn, David and Jonathan over the following 6 years. Joy volunteered Roy for Local Authority youth work when they were very short. He undertook training and worked for several years for them as well as his voluntary youth work. Roy received an award in recognition of his youth work from the late, great manager of Liverpool Football Club – Bill Shankly. He was involved in designing Aeroplane parts, hydraulic pumps for tanks (involving the official secrets act), the Triumph Spitfire motor car and the first automated assembly lines for those cars. Roy and family moved to Southport and ran a hotel for about 17 years after Joy’s father died and her mother came to live with them. Lots of work was needed on the hotel and after the workmen left Roy and Joy carried on! Decorating, plumbing, electrical work and refurbishing - there was nothing Roy could not do. On the day they moved to Southport an elder from a local church met them saying, “ I believe you are youth workers, we need you.” Roy and Joy spent many lovely years setting up and running 2 youth groups. The young people involved were a real blessing to them, although not always easy! Roy and Joy helped to set up a new church on a new estate with some of those young people including some from the local Barnardo’s Children’s Home helping them, another blessing despite its teething problems. That Church is due to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 2013. Roy moved to full time senior school teaching soon after moving to Southport in the 1970’s and more young people entered Roy and Joy’s lives. Roy was very good with the hard-to-engage ones (regarded as ‘naughty’) as well as the “perfect” students. Several parents came to Roy & Joy’s home for help and advice, even to help them find missing children. Roy and Joy’s own children were part of the youth groups and also helped out at times. They weren’t always perfect, but have made Roy and Joy very proud. Roy and Joy and their children even went on holiday together when the children were at university. They were sure this was not only for a free holiday!! Several young people lived with Roy & Joy for varying lengths of time before they eventually fostered officially 2 very damaged children for 4 and a half years. A busy, but rewarding life. Roy & Joy were so grateful for their own lovely children that they wanted to give something back to those less fortunate. 9 grandchildren have entered their lives - all wonderful and very different. How they have enjoyed them all. Roy also led and taught at a male, Lay Interdenominational Bible school in the evening – something that had a profound, positive impact on a number of lives, including his own. After the Romanian revolution in 1989, Roy and Joy, along with friends and family organised several trips to Romania, driving trucks over carrying medical, dental, clothing, farming and other aid. A medical centre to serve 5 villages in the mountains was also funded and supervised by Roy & Joy. Roy had symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease when he was 50 and was officially diagnosed 1 year later – although he had already figured this out for himself. He left teaching a little after this and Joy went back to work full time. Roy continued, determined to live with Parkinson’s disease, rather than letting it get the better of him. Joy’s lovely non-cooking husband used to prepare their evening meal during the first years - very fancy food too, including curries and naan bread made from scratch. Roy and Joy took regular holidays, including some memorable and eventful trips to places including India, the Dominican Republic, the Holy land and many other places in Europe and the UK. However, Roy was never more content than when in and around the many great hills and mountains in England and Wales. As the disease progressed, to help maintain his independence, he had an automatic car, then an electric scooter (on which he enjoyed living dangerously – surprising how fast one can travel on one…). Gradually, he could do less and less. However, he never complained - when someone asked, “ Why you Roy?”, he replied “ If someone has to have it, why not me?” About 9 years ago Roy and Joy moved to Banham, where their son, Jonathan, and his family live. As his care needs escalated, a ground floor bedroom and wet room were built for him, some wonderful carers supported him and a wheel chair accessible car was obtained. Roy continued to live with Parkinson’s disease – enjoying family meals and visits, and regular trips out. Just a few weeks before his death he had his final trip out, to watch one of his grandchildren in a school performance of ‘Bugsy Malone.’ From Joy directly: “It has been a privilege to be married to such a man, who utterly spoilt me, he filled in all the forms and my car, altered anything in the house and garden that I fancied, pushed me to develop and move into adult Christian service, encouraged and supporting me all the way. He was a great father and grandfather, nearly always patient and never unkind. Even in his most difficult days he was patient, had a good sense of humour and was a wonderful and appreciative patient. I would not wish him back, he has suffered enough indignity and loss and is now at peace, 'with Christ which is far better', but how we miss him. Many thanks to all who made his life dignified, enjoyable and interesting, family, friends and our wonderful carers.”