Roy Colin Wells was born at ‘Eastlund’, a property on the junction of Arrawarra Creek and the Severn River, on March 24 1923. Following his birth Roy was transported to the Vegetable Creek Hospital, Emmaville. Roy passed away peacefully at that hospital on Thursday 3 July at the age of 102. A grand innings, and a fitting closure to a circle of life well-lived.
To live to such an age is a wonderful achievement in itself, but to live your life as Roy did –that is truly exceptional. Roy lived his long life with a generosity of spirit, a gentle but wry humour, a steely stoicism, and unquestionable love for his family and community.
Called upon for service during WW2, Roy served with the AIF in Bougainville. Roy is a Patron of the Glen Innes sub-branch of the RSL, participating in Remembrance Day as an honoured guest at the Emmaville Central School and ANZAC Day commemorations, including this year.
Upon his return to Emmaville, Roy married the love of his life, Edna Lillian Garth. This was to be an enduring and loving partnership of almost 74 years. It was a partnership which gave Roy his greatest joy – his children – Colin, Allan, Lois Cummins, Sandy Halliday, Sue Turner and Debbie Wilkinson and also his 23 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren.
Roy took enormous pride in his children – that his son Colin served with the Army, daughter Sue served with the Air Force and three grandsons saw active service in Timor, Afghanistan and Iraq – were particular points of pride, as were the achievements of his youngest daughter Debbie who competed in three Olympic games.
Roy Wells was one of those rare individuals whose life achievement was not that he lived to a great old age, but rather he lived that long life with an inherent sense of duty, of doing the right thing, and being the best husband, father and role model for his family. It was this sense of duty, obligation and commitment that earned Roy the love and respect of not only his family and friends, but an entire community.
Vale Roy Colin Wells.
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal”
(Provided by the family of Mr Wells)
