F. LEROY DELMORE
1920-2016
Roy Delmore completed a long and rewarding journey on August 1, 2016, at the age of 96. He was born May 14, 1920, on a farm in Amherstburg, Ontario, the youngest child of Francis Delmore and Algenora (Nora) Jariett Delmore. In 1942, he graduated from Assumption College in Windsor, Ontario—the first in his family to attend college. Roy then served as an intelligence officer in the Canadian Army during World War II, and following discharge from the Army, he taught high school math in Ontario. On October 9, 1948, he married his childhood sweetheart and the first love of his life, Linda Ann Bailey. After having heard about Houston’s opportunities from the Basilian Fathers, he and Linda moved to Texas in March 1949. He became a U.S. citizen in the mid-1960’s, but he always maintained his close ties to Canada.
Roy’s many interests in life were family, his Catholic faith, cooking, gardening, travel, offering solicited and unsolicited advice, and a good Canadian whiskey. His wit was second to none. He was a devoted member of the Serra Club of Houston, where he served as president for two terms, plus he was invested as a Knight in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.
In addition to raising five children, Roy began his career in life insurance and financial services in 1956 with Sun Life of Canada, where he was a life member of the Million Dollar Round Table. He also earned the designation of Chartered Life Underwriter and Certified Financial Consultant. In 1969, he joined the Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company, where he was a trusted financial advisor and friend to his clients for more than 40 years.
Roy and Linda enjoyed/ survived the weddings of five children, the birth of 10 grandchildren, and world travels prior to her death in August 1994.
The second half of Roy’s journey started on August 25, 2001, with his marriage to Suzy Proos, the second love of his life. The next 15 years included numerous trips, a shared commitment to the church, dinners with friends and family, and long talks at the kitchen table. He frequently expressed his blessings at having had the chance to share his life with two wonderful women.
Roy was preceded in death by his parents, Francis and Nora Delmore; his brother and sister-in-law, Leo and Edith Delmore; sister and brother-in-law, Marie and Randall Bondy; and his first wife, Linda Ann Delmore. He is survived by his wife, Suzy Delmore; children, Jed (Paula) Delmore; Pat (Betty) Delmore, Mary (Jack) Balagia, Ann St. Germain (Tony Wood), and Martha (Mark) Durio.
Grandchildren include Sarah (Gary) Parente, Elaine (Brant) Croucher, Benjamin (Marilee) Balagia, Leigh Ann (Steve) Bornstein, Evan (Audrey) St. Germain, Megan (David) Morris, Rachel (Kyle) Henning, Joseph (Callie) Delmore, Michelle Durio, and Michael Balagia. Great-grandchildren include Isabella, Leo, Sophia, and Fiona Parente; Julia, Charlotte, and Madeleine St. Germain; Hugo Henning; and Emilia Croucher.
Nieces and nephews include Larry (Carolyn) Delmore, Tom Delmore, Michael (Nancy) Delmore, Donna (Greg) Nemeth, and Noreen Dufour, all of Canada; as well as Cathi (John) Montgomery, Carolyn (Tim) Miller, Robert LaLumiere, Tom (Stephanie) LaLumiere, and Linda (Ken) Grubbs.
Visitation and Rosary will be held at Bradshaw Carter funeral home on Sunday, August 21st, 3-5 PM. Memorial Mass will be celebrated Monday, August 22nd, 1:30PM, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the St. Anne School Foundation, St. Thomas High School, or the University of St. Thomas—all established by the Basilian Fathers.