November 8, 1933 - May 8, 2025
In loving memory ~
It is with heavy hearts but with great appreciation for his life well and generously lived, that the family of Dr. Roy I. Brown announce his passing on Thursday, May 8th, 2025, in Shirley B.C. after a valiant grapple with Esophageal cancer.
Born in Potters Bar, England on November 8th, 1933, Roy was the son of John Eric and Winifred Brown. He was predeceased by both his parents, and his beloved wife, Mary.
Roy is survived by his sister Shirley (Trevor), his daughter Elizabeth (Clifford), son Michael, grandchildren Bridget and Alberta (Josh) and his great-grandson Ronan, his brother-in-law Peter, and nieces and nephews, David, Treley, Alex, Vicky, and Andrew, his grandnieces and a great number of valued friends and colleagues throughout the world.
Roy lived a rich life. He was curious, searching, well-read, and well-travelled. Very much all of this was done with Mary at his side, not only as husband and wife, but as partners in every sense of the word. Roy's work in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Studies was dedicated to the development and education of persons with disabilities and the increased awareness for their need of a greater quality of life along with those who are their caregivers. His work as teacher, researcher and practitioner has benefitted individuals and communities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, Gaza, and many other countries throughout the world. His dedication to this work was such that, until his final days, he was still engaged in and contributing to its growth.
As a young man, Roy attended the University of London where he earned a B.Sc. (gen) Botany Zoology & Chemistry, B.Sc. (Spec) Psychology, Dip. Psy. and a PhD in Psychology. His early career began at the University of Bristol, where he was a research fellow. He subsequently immigrated to Calgary with his young family. There he took on the directorship of the Vocational Rehabilitation Research Institute (V.R.R.I) as well as serving as a professor at the University of Calgary. He later served for several years as Dean and Foundation Chair at the University of Flinders in Adelaide, Australia. At both universities he is Professor Emeritus and holds an honorary Doctorate from the University of Ghent. He was a proud member of International Association for the Scientific Study of Mental Deficiency (IASSID) where he was founding director of the IASSID Academy. Because of his indefatigable contributions to his chosen field, he was the recipient of innumerable awards and honours for his work.
Roy was a prolific writer and editor, a great asker of questions, an inspiring lecturer, and a dedicated community advocate who served on numerous boards: most recently the Sooke and Juan De Fuca Health Foundation and Sooke Regional Community Health Network. He was also a passionate mentor who took great pleasure in witnessing his students flourish. He maintained that everyone needs a mentor; someone who sees in one those things that one might not yet see in oneself. Roy was an avid gardener, as well as a keen pianist and organist, a lover of music, the singer of improvised ditties, and an enthusiastic scrabble player. He had a great cheeky sense of humour, and, as so many have witnessed, he was a great teller of stories, in each of them a life lesson embedded. Most importantly to us, his children, he was a loving, caring husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His life was rich and we all the richer for him living it so. He will be remembered with much love as an amazing and true individual.
Many thanks go to all those who contributed to his care, companionship, and comfort over the last several months and who kept his mind nourished, and his considerable spirit lifted.
A memorial service will be held at Sands Funeral Home in Colwood
In lieu of flowers, donations in Roy's memory may be made to the Mary Brown Memorial Fund through the Sooke Juan De Fuca Health Foundation (https://www.sookejdfhealthfoundation.org/donation-options)
