Roy Hewson

Dr. Roy Thomas Hewson

With family by his side, Dr Roy Hewson passed away on Wednesday, November 5th, 2014, at Portage District General Hospital, age 86.  Roy was predeceased by his first wife Elizabeth Hewson, parents Stanley and Florence Hewson, and brothers William and Lorne.

Left to treasure his memory are his beloved wife Joan Hewson; children Dick (Colleen) Hewson of Edmonton, Melanie Hewson of Toronto, James (Jen) Hewson of Vancouver, Wade (Judi) Linden, Bill Linden of Winnipeg, Nancy (Chris) Blight; and special grandchildren Lauren and Andrew Hewson; Elizabeth and Alex Wimbush; Alexa Hewson; Ashley (Victoria), Aaron (Laurence) and great granddaughter Camille Linden; Cathlene, William and Hillary Linden.  He will also be missed by his sister Patricia Farley of Edmonton; nieces and nephews Bill and Donald Hewson, Susan Lawrie and Sandra Shores as well as extended family.

Roy was born in Calgary and in his childhood moved throughout various communities in Alberta and BC. As a young boy, he became enamored of boats and dreamed of the day he could own one.  Roy received his medical doctorate and fellowship from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at the University of British Columbia in 1955 and diploma in Aviation Medicine from Farnborough England.  He began his medical practice in Courtney B.C. and soon moved to Merritt with his wife Betsy to raise his family.

Roy really embraced life, with a love for sports that started at a very early age, and continued throughout his life.   He enjoyed participating in a wide variety of activities including skiing, sailing and boating.  Dad wanted his family to enjoy a sport together, so took the family skiing, mostly to Silver Star in Vernon, which was enjoyed by all.

In 1973 as a pilot, Roy entered aviation medicine and returned to family practice in 1980 in Breckenridge, Texas.  While in Texas, Roy lost his wife Betsy to cancer.

Roy returned to aviation medicine in 1985. When situated in Vancouver he met and married Joan in 1989. Working for Health and Welfare Canada, Roy and Joan moved to Ottawa and in 1991 decided to retire and make their home in Kelowna, B.C. Roy and Joan enjoyed playing golf, biking, swimming and spending winters in Arizona. Summers were spent enjoying visits from family and his beloved grandchildren. In 2012 Roy and Joan made their home in Portage la Prairie.

Roy will be remembered as a loving father, medical advisor, confidant and friend, and a devoted husband to Joan.

Funeral Service will take place on Wednesday, November 12, 2014 at 11:00 am at McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel, led by Rev. Julie Baker.

As expressions of sympathy, if friends so wish, donations may be made in Roy’s memory to the Salvation Army, Box 476, Portage la Prairie, MB, R1N 3B7 or Trinity United Church, 15 Tupper Street .S, Portage la Prairie, MB,R1N 1W7.

A tree will be planted in memory and cared for by McKenzies Portage Funeral Chapel.  204-857-4021 www.mckenziesportagefuneralchapel.com