In Memoriam

Roy McBride, BASc’50

Roy leaves a family that he loved and many accomplishments and contributions that will be remembered as part of his legacy. In 1950, 
Roy married Joan Maultsaid and together they raised two children, Brenda, BEd’76, and David, BSF’78. The family grew with the addition of four grandchildren. Roy was employed by Halse Martin Construction Co. in 1950, becoming equal partner and owner of the company in 1973. Roy acted as president of the company and, together with Sandy Thomson, completed many commercial/industrial restorations of important Lower Mainland landmarks, including The Orpheum, CP Railway Station, the Roundhouse, the whale pools at the Vancouver Aquarium and RCMP vessel the St. Roche, on display at the Maritime Museum. Roy served as the president of the Amalgamated Construction Association, as an executive member of the Canadian Construction Association, president of the BC Construction Association, life member of the Vancouver Regional Construction Association, and as a member of the Vancouver Building Board of Appeal.

In 1989, Roy and his partner sold their company and Joan and Roy retired to Vancouver Island. Roy became involved in several volunteer projects, including supervising the construction of the Qualicum Beach Community Centre and the Parksville Lawn Bowling Club. He sat on the Parksville Board of Variance and was a member of the Nanoose Stream Keepers. With a personal, lifetime goal to help find a cure for bipolar disorder, Roy established a fund for research at the UBC Faculty of Medicine. Joan and Roy enjoyed their retirement – gardening, boating, fishing and travelling.

Unfortunately, Roy developed malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos exposure during his career in the construction sector, and on July 6, 2013, shortly before his 63rd wedding anniversary, and just after his 87th birthday, Roy passed away surrounded by his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.