Roy B. Vickery

Holyoke - Roy Burton Vickery, 96, peacefully passed on Wednesday, April 26, at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA. Born December 28, 1920, in New Bedford, MA, he lived most of his childhood in Middleboro, MA where he was the son of the late Chester L and Rosalie (Pierce) Vickery of Middleboro, MA. He was predeceased by his siblings, Beatrice Lawrence, Carl, Walter and Norman Vickery and by his late wife, Evelyn (Small) Vickery. He leaves his two daughters, Betty Easton and her husband, Bill, of Brimfield, MA and Judith Carrier and her husband, Robert, of So. Hadley, MA. He also leaves his 9 grandchildren, Amanda, David, Brian and James Easton, and Robert, Michael, Ronald, Paul and Dean Carrier and the late Linda (Carrier) Breckenridge of Minnesota, his 14 great-grandchildren and 7 great-great grandchildren. He also leaves his nephew Charles (Chuck) Lawrence and his wife Linda and their 3 sons of Maryland. He proudly served his country in the US Navy during WWII as a tail gunner in a TBF in the Asiatic - Pacific theatre. He was credited with helping to save the lives of 20 fellow servicemen when en-route to Pearl Harbor a fuel line running thru the bomb bay of their PB4Y parted, spewing gasoline. As all in the bay exited to the rear further endangering everyone, Roy had the presence of mind to stay in the bomb bay and solve the problem. A longtime resident of the Holyoke, West Springfield, Longmeadow area he was active in many organizations. He served as District and Lieutenant Governor for District 53 in Toastmasters, Int’l. and president of local Trinity Toastmasters. After retirement as owner of his successful painting contractor company he was able to pursue his many interests. An avid golfer, he was very active in the Senior Olympics for the past 20 plus years, winning many medals as he competed throughout the US and the world.A lover of the spoken and written word he participated in many local poetry readings and published a book of his own poetry. A seeker of spiritual enlightenment he travelled to Nepal, India and Katmandu to meet with Buddhist Monks and to learn about the people of Nepal. His practice of yoga and tai chi brought him to many programs at the Kripalu Center and Vipissana. His joy of life, enthusiasm and pursuit of knowledge and understanding was the driving force that allowed him to live his life to the fullest. He will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all whose lives he touched. He will be privately laid to rest by his family in Hope Rest Cemetery in Middleboro, MA. New England Funeral & Cremation Center, LLC, 25 Mill Street, Springfield, MA has been entrusted with the arrangements. Any donations in his name can be made to the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke, MA. Visit www.nefcc.net