VanSickle, Roy Marland
Died peacefully on Dec. 2 with family at his bedside, nine days after his 80th birthday. Roy is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 56 years, Barbara, his children Rick (Maureen), Kim, and Mark as well as his eight beautiful grandchildren. Roy is predeceased by his brother Mel.
Roy was one of the first employees of CHCH-TV in Hamilton as sales manager (where he famously played Rocky Jones Space Ranger). After 10 years he moved on to the insurance business, eventually establishing VanSickle and Associates. He also dabbled in many sidelines including stock-promotions during a colourful and varied career.
It can be said that Roy was larger than life. He was the life of every party, even the ones he threw himself, on the street he loved so much on Edgehill Road in Etobicoke. Roy was funny, engaging and adored by his friends and family. He made the greatest martini and Caesar salad in the world. Roy was always happiest on the golf course, where he was affectionately known as Zorro because of his quick backswing. He was a member of the Burlington Golf and Country Club in his teens and was a long-standing member and director at Mississaugua Golf and Country Club and Horseshoe Valley Golf Club. Roy loved a good bet on the golf course and rarely lost any money — if he did, he got it back playing 10-card gin later in the men’s room. Yes, Roy loved life. Big shiny new cars, family vacations, golf trips to St. Andrews with his pals, playing in the Bob Hope Desert Classic pro-am in Palm Springs and sharing all his stories with grandchildren. But his greatest love of all was reserved for his wife, Barb, who shared in all the joy and happiness that defined Roy’s life.
A service and celebration of Roy’s life will be held at Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home (201 Minet’s Point Road at Yonge Street), Barrie, on Monday, Dec. 5 at 2 p.m. with a visitation at 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The VanSickle family would like to thank the staff at Victoria Village Manor in Barrie for their expert and passionate care of Roy.