Worcester – Rev. Michael J. Roy, 77, of Worcester, passed away peacefully with family by his side on Friday, February 21, 2025 in the Notre Dame Long Term Care and Rehabilitation Center.
Father Michael J. Roy was born in Worcester on Aug. 25, 1947, the son of Frank and Marguerite (Rushford) Roy.
Fr. Mike first went to St. Joseph’s Grammar School before transferring to Our Lady of the Angels Parish School in Worcester, graduating in 1961. At the age of 14, Fr. Mike answered the calling he received from God and began his vocational studies at St. John Atonement Prep School in Montour Falls, New York. After graduating high school, Fr. Mike then began his novitiate training to become a Franciscan Friar at S. Joseph’s School in Saranac Lake, New York and took his vows to become a Franciscan at Graymoor Friars of the Atonement in Garrison, New York. He then earned his bachelor’s degree from Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. During his first year of college he helped rescue many Washingtonians during the race riots in 1968 that occurred after the assassination of Martin Luther King. After graduation from Catholic University, Fr. Mike earned his master’s degree in liturgy from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. He continued his preparation for priesthood at the Atonement Seminary and the Washington Theological Coalition in Washington, D.C. and completed his priestly studies at St. John’s Seminary in Brighton, MA in 1975.
Fr. Mike was assigned as a deacon at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Milford, MA and received the sacrament of ordination at Our Lady of the Angels Church in Worcester, MA nearly 50 years ago on December 8, 1975.
Throughout his 49 years of dedicated service as a diocesan priest, Fr. Roy began as an associate pastor at St. Louis Church in Webster, Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Spencer, St. Edward the Confessor Church in Westminster and at St. Mary’s Church in Shrewsbury. Fr. Roy then went to serve as a co-pastor at St. Mary of the Assumption in Milford. Fr. Roy then went to complete his service to the Diocese of Worcester as the pastor for Sacred Heart of Jesus in Webster, St. Roch’s Church in Oxford and finally including St. Ann’s Church in North Oxford, before retiring in 2023. After retirement he served as a senior priest to St. Anne’s Church in Southborough.
During Fr. Roy’s dedicated service as the spiritual leader to his parishioners in each location, he also took a great deal of joy and many personal projects. Among these include his participation in the Fraternity of Priests in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, the establishment of the Adoration Chapel in Webster, MA, the establishment of the Sierra Club in Oxford, MA, and most proudly, his longtime board membership for the Visitation House in Worcester. Father Roy was tirelessly devoted to each, and every one of these projects finding the strength by his adoration of our Lady of Guadalupe, and faith in God.
Fr. Roy’s Love of travel, translated to the pilgrimage’s he helped organize and lead to the Holy Land on multiple occasions, Rome and other sacred sites in Italy on multiple occasions. Medjugorje, Fatima and Mexico City all in addition, he visited while living his devotion to our blessed mother.
When Fr. Roy was no longer able to participate in day-to-day parish life, after retirement, and due to failing health, he continued to minister to the Catholic community while living at the Goddard House, then onto Homestead Hall, and finally to Notre Dame Long-Term Care. He continued to preach and pray and counsel individuals right to the end of his days.
In addition to the truly countless friends and associates that Fr. Roy had made over the course of his lifetime, he leaves behind his sister, Annemarie “Bonnie” Luks and his brother, Jack Roy.
In addition to his parents, Fr. Roy was predeceased in life by his brothers, Richard Roy, who is survived by his wife, Patricia Roy and Paul Roy, who is survived by his wife, Deborah Roy-Barker. Father Roy had 11 nieces and nephews, including Lynann Lussier, James Luks, Sharon Ciejka, Richard Roy, Wendy Moran, Rene Zukowski, Matthew Roy, Dennis Roy, Melinda Roy, Stephanie Roy and Veronica Roy. He also leaves behind many aunts, uncles and cousins.
In addition to the many friends of Fr. Roy, the family wishes to particularly acknowledge Marianne Power, Rick Shivick, Fr. Richard Trainor, Fr. Gregory Hoppough, CSS and Sr. Mary Ann Bartell, CSE for their unfailing friendship, guidance and comfort that they provided to Fr. Roy.
Memorial contributions in memory of Fr. Roy may be made to Visitation House 119 Endicott Street Worcester, MA 01610. Visitation House is a program which provides women with unplanned pregnancies a path to cherish and sustain the life of their babies
Visitation will be held on Thursday, February 27, from 4 to 7 PM in Saint Roch Church 332 Main Street Oxford with a vigil service to be held at 7PM.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Most. Rev. Robert J. McManus on Friday, February 28 at 11 AM in Our Lady of the Angels Church 1222 Main St. Worcester. Burial will immediately follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Worcester.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home 12 Hammond St. Worcester. To share a memory or to sign the guestbook for Fr. Roy, please visit www.Royfuneral.com
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Alfred Roy & Sons Funeral Home
12 Hammond St.
Worcester, MA 01610 508-799-2992
