Richard G. Roy

KENNEBUNK – Richard G. Roy, “Dick” to all who knew him, 85 years young, a longtime masonry and excavating contractor and active community member, passed away Tuesday, July 21, 2026, at Kennebunk Center for Health and Rehabilitation following a period of declining health. Dick passed away in the early morning hour that he usually began his workday, and it is felt, he is off to begin his next job.

Dick was a longtime Kennebunk resident, having been born in Biddeford Jan. 19, 1941, one of nine children to Willie and Irene Precourt Roy, and raised by his aunt and uncle, Alta and Arthur Guilbert. He attended Kennebunk High School. A hard worker, he began as a kid working for Ray Johnson, then pumped gas for Bobby Brown in high school.

Following his graduation, he entered the U.S. Navy, being assigned to the Sea Bees. He helped construct the nuclear power plant at the South Pole, where the penguins kept an eye on him, and the temperature got down to minus 163 degrees fahrenheit. It was quite an adventure for a kid from small-town Maine.

Returning to Kennebunk, he kept up his reputation as a hard worker. He worked for his brother-in-law, George Garnett and Arthur Hendrix as a builder, then returned to working for Bobby Brown excavating, which ultimately led to him starting his own business as Richard G. Roy Mason and Excavating Contractor. Over more than 50 years in business, he earned a lasting reputation for exceptional masonry work across Southern Maine. His skill and dedication left a mark throughout York and Cumberland Counties, showcased in landmarks like the seawall at St. Ann’s Church, the pool wall at the Colony Hotel, and the wall at the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association. He never retired until he was 82 years old. He loved antique cars, especially his 1933 Ford and his 1956 Chevy.

The Town of Kennebunk was fortunate to have Dick in it. He was a longtime firefighter for Kennebunk Fire Rescue. Living beside the Washington Hose Station in Lower Village, it was sometimes a race to the engine, as Roger Ellenberger lived on the other side of the station. It was Dick and Roger that saved the 1935 Ford Fire Truck that was built in Lower Village when the Washington Hose station caught fire, pushing it out as the station burned, saving a piece of Kennebunk history. Dick rose through the ranks, to serve as Deputy Chief, influencing and teaching many younger firefighters the skills needed to keep them safe. More recently, Dick was a member of Kennebunkport Fire Department.

Dick was also a member of the Kennebunk Baptist Church, Arundel Lodge #76, AF & AM in Kennebunkport, Consistory, and Kora Shrine Temple in Lewiston, and York County Shrine Club, Webber Lefebvre American Legion Post in Kennebunk and Maine Coastal Cruisers.

He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Katrina Lynn Wade, who died in 2022.

Survivors include his loving wife of 66 years, Janet (Hanscom) Roy; his daughter, Lynn Baum and her husband Herb; grandson-in-law, James Wade; and great-grandson, Samuel Wade, all of Kennebunk; a sister, Claudette Vachon of Old Orchard Beach and sister-in-law, Nellie Caron of Manchester, N.H.; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Friends are invited to visit with the family 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, July 27, at the Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk. There will be a firefighter walk through at 6 p.m. and a Masonic Service lead by the brethren of Arundel Lodge # 76 at 7 p.m. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 28 at Bibber Memorial Chapel, with interment with firefighter and military honors to follow in Evergreen Cemetery, Kennebunk.

To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Dick‘s Book of Memories Page at http://www.bibberfuneral.com.

Arrangements are in the care of Bibber Memorial Chapel, 67 Summer St., Kennebunk, ME 04043.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to:

Kennebunk Baptist Church

P.O. Box 396

Kennebunk, ME 04043

KBIA Scholarship Fund

P.O. Box 707

Kennebunk, ME 04043

St. Judes Children’s Hospital

501 St. Jude Place

Memphis, TN 38105

or to the charity of your choice, in Dick’s memory