Obituary of Roy Chester Skolos

February 15, 1943 – June 28, 2018

It is with shock and great sadness we announce the sudden passing of Roy at age 75. He was a man of diverse interests and many talents that were a benefit to us all.

Roy was born in Vancouver, B.C., during World War II. His early years were spent surrounded by a huge extended family on the homestead in Dahlton, Sask. At age 14 his family relocated back to the lower mainland in Aldergrove, B.C. where he made lifelong friends and met the love of his life. He happily married Brenda Laible in Oct. 1966. Roy and Brenda were thrilled to welcome their centennial project, their only child, Anna-Marie who was born in Dec. 1967.

In 1969 Roy moved his young family to Flin Flon, Man., where he took work in mining and smelter operations. He also worked part-time at the Beaver Lake Bar. The years in Flin Flon were full of good friends, good times, and good pickerel fishing!

The family then moved to Thompson, Man. In 1974, Roy began working for the government as an immigration officer. This new career sparked an interest in world travel. After purging many possessions and storing the rest, the family set off to explore Europe in June 1978 and travelled for one wonderful year.

After returning to Canada in 1979, Roy and Brenda were looking for a business to buy and found B&B Glass in Kimberley. They added a Sears outlet to their workload in 1989. His home life from 1981-2014 included being a host father to many international students. Roy loved to gamble and no event was more anticipated than the trips to Las Vegas with Wayne and the others who occasionally joined in on these crazy road trips. Life in Kimberley brought more good friends, more good times, and even more great fishing!

Roy believed in the value of community service. He joined the Navy Cadets in his early teens and went on to become an Officer. His duties in the Navy mostly involved teaching cadets. Roy was also an active member of the Lions Club for many years in Flin Flon, Thompson, and Kimberley.

Throughout his life, Roy was enthralled by the world of cars. He bought and sold a number of vintage and collectible vehicles and retained the first car he ever bought until his death: a 1928 Overland Willis Whippet. He also sponsored and/or worked on several race cars, both locally and throughout Western Canada and the USA. If a race was on anywhere in the world and he couldn’t be there in person he would watch faithfully from his recliner.

Roy is survived by Brenda, his loving wife of 51 years, daughter Anna-Marie (Brian Bova), grand-daughter Josie, sisters Starla Kowal (Vic) and Colleen Jensen (Alyn), nephews Chet (Claire) and Grant, and mother-in-law Helen Laible, all of who will miss him very much.

He was predeceased by his brother Murray and his parents Kay and Chester.

There will be no service at this time. In memory of Roy raise a glass and give cheer. Skol!

Gone Fishing