LeRoy "Roy" Atkins, 81, a Provincetown native, passed away peacefully at Cape Cod Hospital on Sunday afternoon, April 21, 2013.
Roy was born on July 4, 1931 and grew up in Provincetown. He graduated from Provincetown High School in 1949. Roy was in the US Army, August 1952 to August 1954, during the Korean War. He was in Company H, 21st INF REG., 24th INF. DIV. guarding North Korean prisoners on the Island of Koje-Do. When the prisoners were liberated, he was transferred to Chunchon, south of the 38th Parallel. He was Supply SGT. for Company H. He remained there until his enlistment was up and he returned home.
He married Virginia Grace Dibble of Jersey Shore, PA in November 1957. Grace agreed to marry him during a two week visit to her sister, who was living in North Truro, in the summer of 1957.
Roy worked in the printing business at The New Beacon, The Advocate Press, The Provincetown Advocate, and the Patriot Press (in Hyannis) for 42 years. He also worked for 7 years for CVS in Orleans as a Pharmacy Clerk. He retired in 1997. While living in Provincetown, he served on the First Charter Commission, and was a member of the Board of Health and the Personnel Board. While living in Truro, he was a Member of Board of Zoning Appeals.
Roy was a Past Master of King Hiram's Lodge, 1968-1969. After serving as Master he became Secretary in 1969 and remained active in that office for 38 years. He then was given the position of Secretary Emeritus, where he continued to serve the Lodge. He was also Secretary of Universal Lodge in Orleans for 17 years. In addition, Roy was a charter member and Past Master of Nauset Light Lodge. He also was Secretary of Joseph Warren Royal Arch Chapter and Sylvester Baxter Royal Arch Chapter. He is a holder of Joseph Warren Medal. Roy also served as Worthy Patron for the Order Of Eastern Star, in Chequocket (Provincetown), Wellfleet and Orleans Chapters.
He was a member of the Provincetown Methodist Church and was active in the choir and other activities of the church, serving as secretary, for a number of years.
Roy is survived by his wife Virginia "Grace" of Orleans, MA; his brother Timothy Atkins of South Yarmouth; his daughters Leslie Unruh of Auburn, WA, and Barbara Grandel of Truro; his grandson Anthony Grandel of Truro; and many cousins. Roy was also the father of Phillip Atkins, who passed away in September 2012.
Services will be held Friday, April 26th at 10:30AM at the Provincetown Methodist Church. Burial to follow immediately at Provincetown Cemetary.