World War II veteran was former local resident
Published in the February 25, 2016 edition
CLARK COUNTY, Va. — Roy Thomas Bishop, 91 of Clark County, Va., died on Jan. 31, 2016 at Winchester Medical Center.
Mr. Bishop was born in 1924 in Somerville, the son of the late Evelyn R. (Fields) and Roy T. Bishop. He grew up in the tough and gritty streets of Charlestown, a neighborhood of Boston. With the help of his family they kept him grounded and out of trouble. He attended South Boston High School until his senior year when he left to enlist in the United States Army Air Force in 1942 shortly after Pearl Harbor during WWII. While stationed in Hawaii he repaired B–17 and B–24 bomber planes. He always talked in wonder of his experiences in the Hawaiian Islands.
Shortly thereafter while stationed in Texas he met the love of his life Mary Jane Grace Fulmer. They married in 1946 and bought a home in Malden, where they lived until moving to North Reading.
He raised six children under difficult economic circumstances often working two jobs to support his family. In his spare time he volunteered as a trainer with his youngest son’s Pop Warner football teams and was known as “doc bishop” for years.
His hard work and honest dealings provided his children a good role model for their future welfare and success.
Over the years he loved and cared for his pets. He was especially fond of his two cats, Charlie and Chris.
Mr. Bishop was employed at Itek Corporation as a sheet metal worker, retiring in 1994. After retirement Roy and Mary Jane relocated to Cottonwood, Ariz. There he was a member of the VFW, The American Legion and the Moose Lodge. Roy and Mary Jane enjoyed traveling to Florida, Las Vegas and visiting with family and friends.
Mary Jane preceded Roy in death in 2001. They were married for 55 years.
Before moving to Virginia to be closer to his family, Roy remained in Arizona for many years. He had a love for football and every Sunday he would watch the Arizona Cardinals and the New England Patriots. He enjoyed having coffee and seeing movies with friends. He loved to go dancing on the weekends and was considered an “icon” amongst the younger crowd.
He would have long talks on the phone with his sisters, Evey and Elsa and he never forgot to call his loved ones on holidays, birthdays and anniversaries.
Many remember Roy as a kind gentle man with a sweet smile. He was a great friend and he touched the hearts of many. His friends will always remember his dancing feet and his love of music. He always enjoyed life to the fullest.
Roy was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Surviving children: Three daughters, Debbie Baker and her husband, Lee; Cheryl Beaudette, Suzette Pucillo and her husband Eric; Two sons, Roy T. Bishop Jr. and Charlie Bishop. Grandchildren: Lisa Schneider and husband Darrell, Roy E. Bishop, Erich Baker, Rachel Fadley and husband Joe, Diana Crowley and husband Colin, Rebecca Baker, Callie Baker, Alyson Beaudette, Gina Pucillo, Vanessa Pucillo, Jake Pucillo and Cheyenne Bishop. Great- grandchildren; Dakota Schneider, Jade Baker, Dillon Baker, Chase Fadley, Haylee Fadley Brayden Fadley and son-in-law, Robert Robichaud. His siblings, Evey Smith and Elsa Moylan.
Preceding him in death were: his daughter Janice Robichaud, daughter–in–law Susan Garber, son–in–law Alan Beaudette; his brother Charles Bishop and his sister Margaret Bishop.
Services and Interment will be held in Massachusetts at a later date.
