Roy Harvey McGillivray

Roy Harvey McGillivray passed away peacefully at his residence at Country
Meadows PCH on Oct. 24, 2020, with family by his side.
Roy was born June 9, 1932 to Ross and Irene(Rogers) McGillivray on the
family farm in Glendale. He attended Glendale school to Gr. 8, planning to
farm. Aug. 11, 1951 he and Joan Sage, who was teaching at Glendale, were
married in St. James Anglican Church, Neepawa. They continued to farm,
Joan teaching until the birth of daughter Laurie. While on the farm, Roy
and Joan curled and square danced at Franklin. After being hailed out
three years in a row, in 1960 they moved to Neepawa where Roy had gained
employment.
In 1959, Roy began his auction career with Wilf Sandstrom of Minnedosa;
Sandstrom & McGillivray Auction Service became well known.  With Wilf’s
untimely death in 1970, Roy continued on his own until 1979, retiring
after a 20-year career.
During the years 1960-65, Roy sold Case machinery for Wm. Whitmore Ltd.,
also repairing machinery in the field. From 1965-70, he sold cars for
Angus A. McDougall Ltd., receiving the sales leaders award for three years
in the Winnipeg zone.
 The family had now grown to include son Roger.
Roy had always wanted to have his own business. In 1970 Roy and Joan
opened Neepawa Auction Centre, selling used furniture and household goods.
This soon expanded to include new furniture, appliances and electronics.
The name was easily changed to Neepawa Furniture Centre. Son Roger was
involved from an early age and took over when Roy retired in 2000.
Roy soon became active in the community. A member of the Chamber of
Commerce, he was part of a group searching for a location for a hog
processing plant to be built. In 1983 he was elected to Neepawa town
council, serving three terms. As protective services chairman, he obtained
funding to build a police station. In 1992, he was elected mayor, serving
two terms, retiring in 1998. During these years, Roy’s aim was to promote
Neepawa and community and was always proud to be a citizen of Manitoba’s
Most Beautiful town. During these years, Neepawa airport was upgraded, a
new water tower was built and upgrades to water treatment plant, as well
as opening of the Resource Centre. Roy was honoured to be present at the
opening of Dairy Queen, Hamilton Square and Petra Place (Youth for
Christ). During those years, Prairie Oasis condos were built as well as
two new subdivisions, West Creek and Hill Crest and TNT Ford was opened at
a new location.
In 1998, a summit of mayors from Canada, U.S. and Mexico to promote trade,
industry and tourism was held in Winnipeg, which Roy attended. Later that
year he was part of a Manitoba delegation to Mexico aiming to establish
twinning between Neepawa and Guadalajara. A return visit to Neepawa was
hosted the following spring.
After retiring from politics, Roy was still involved as business mentor
and was appointed to a task force in 1999 to assess effects of flooding on
businesses.
Roy became a member of Neepawa Rotary club in 1966. He served as president
and Club historian. He received his 50 year pin, then in 2018, honourary
membership and was a Paul Harris fellow.  He did the Rotary auction for
many years and the family hosted Rotary exchange students for several
years. This exchange resulted in lasting friendships and travel,
especially to Brazil. He compiled the 60 year history of the Neepawa Club
for the club’s 60th anniversary. These volumes are now in the Neepawa
archives.
The furniture business involved travel for buying trips in cities in both
Canada and the U.S. Sales meetings took us to the Caribbean, Venezuela,
Hawaii and Mexico.
As the family grew up, Roy was involved in coaching minor baseball and
president of the figure skating club. There were trips to Disneyland.
During summer vacation, there were car trips both east and west across
Canada. There were two holidays to England and Scotland and a bus tour of
Europe. Later, when Roy & Joan attended summer parades on behalf of the
town, it was a great pleasure to take along their two grandsons, ending
the weekend at the cabin at Otter lake.
Roy was a member of Knox Presbyterian Church and served on the Board of
Managers. He was an elder on Session until his passing.
Roy was a people person who liked to talk and always enjoyed a good party,
especially an anniversary. He was able to have all the family together at
Christmas in Country Meadows in 2019.
Roy leaves to mourn his passing his wife of 69 years, Joan; daughter
Laurie, of Delta, B.C.; son Roger(Stacy), of Winnipeg; grandson
Nathan(Jill) their family Mauve, twins Locke and Rex, of Winnipeg;
grandson Stephen, of Victoria, B.C.; brother Don(Janet); brother-in-law Ed
Sage(Doreen); nieces and nephew, cousins and friends.
Due to Covid-19, the service will take place at a later date. White’s
Funeral Home Neepawa in charge of arrangements.
If desired, donations may be made to Country Meadows PCH or Rotary Shelter
Box fund.

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