Ferdinand A. Roy, Sr.

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History of Southeast Missouri: A Narrative Account of Its ..., Volume 1 By Robert Sidney Douglass

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Obituary. Died, at Cape Girardeau, Mo., at 10:30 P. M., on Monday, February 28, 1898, Mr. Ferdinand A. Roy, in the 82nd year of his age.

His death was due to senile debility, but it was accelerated by an attack of la grippe, which, though slight, was sufficient to sever the already attenuated thread of life.

It has been noticed for months prior to his death that his strength was steadily falling, but with characteristic alertness, he managed to continue his daily walks to visit and chat with his numerous friends. His final illness lasted for a week and, though he must have suffered, not a murmer of complaint escaped his patient lips. The fortitude with which he had endured every ill of life during the long period of his existence sustained him in his closing hours, and the meek and silent resignation with which he met the approach of the grim messenger furnished a noble example of christian heroism. Deceased had been duly prepared for death by Rev. Fathers Cuddy an d Bertke, who administered the last sacraments.

The funeral took place on Wednesday from the residence of Mr. Joseph Flynn, Lorimier street. The copse, enclosed in a handsome casket, was borne to St. Vincent’s church, where a low mass of requiem was celebrated by Rev. Father Cuddy, the pastor. Followed by a goodly cortege of citizens in vehicles the remains were conveyed to the Catholic Cemetery, where they were interred. The following gentlemen were pall-bearers: Messrs. P. H. Dempsy, M. J. Fugan, J. F. Schwepker, Thos Powers, J. T. Stratman and J. H. Winkleman.

Deceased was born at Prairie du Roscher, Ill., on June 5, 1816. At the age of 19 years he came to Missouri, locating at Potosi where he severed employment as clerk in the general merchandise store of Mr. Fermin Desloge. He remained there till 1843, when he went to Ste. Genevieve and for a short time clerked in the store of Mr. Francis Rozier. Having led an economical life he had by this time succeeded in saving about $800 of his salary, with which he bought a stock of goods and opened a general merchandise store on his own account at Ste. Genevieve, in which business he continued for thirty years. Deceased always held a high place in the esteem of his fellow citizens of Ste. Genevieve city and county. For over fifty years he was prominently identified with the progress of the community which he lived. He filled the office of judge of the county court for several years at the time when the Plant Road between Farmington and Ste. Genevieve was constructed. He also served as major of Ste. Genevieve during the war period and filled the office of justice of the peace with signal ability for nearly fifteen years, or until he moved with the family of his daughter, Mrs. Joseph Flynn, to Bonne Terre in 1890.

On February 15, 1847, Mr. Roy was united in marriage to Miss Roisne L. Goin, who preceded him to the grave, September 9, 1876. To their union were born ten children (seven sons and three daughters,) of whom five are living: Ferdinand A., residing near Prairie du Rocher, Ill, Mary M. wife of Joseph Flynn of Cape Girardeau, Mo, Louis E. of Venus, Texas, Barbeau A. and Henry J. of Bonne Terre, Mo.

In the death of deceased was closed the life of a man whose heart was filled with friendship for his fellowman. The greatest of christian precepts was exemplified in his daily conduct, for the acme of his ambition was to live in peace and good will with all mankind. The cords of his heart invariably responded to the impulse of love, with which no discord of hate ever ventured to mingle. He loved society in general but, most of all the society of his children and grandchildren, for whom he always had a smile and a kind word.

Amiable towards his fellowmen, loving to his family, devout in his reverence for God and his hold religion, he so lived that the parting of the ways between time and eternity found him ready to respond in the will of his Master and, it is firmly hoped, to enter into the joys of heavenly life. May he rest in peace.–Bonne Terre Democrat Register. http://stegenevieve.net/2010/10/fair-play-1898-jan-1-dec-31/