Roy F. Seely
Personal
Gender: Male
Date of Birth: October 3, 1922
Date of Death: September 12, 2009
Birth Place: Greenfield, MA
Death Place: Northampton, MA
Roy F. Seely
Roy F. Seely, 86, gardener and singer
SOUTHAMPTON – Roy F. Seely, 86, of High Street in Southampton, died Saturday, Sept. 12, , at Cooley Dickinson Hospital after a brief illness.
He was born in Greenfield on Oct. 3, 1922, son of the late William A. and Eva L. Gove Seely. Roy attended Northampton schools and was in the graduating class of 1940. In 1948, he was the valedictorian of his class at the University of Massachusetts’ Stockbridge School, with a degree in horticulture.
Roy was a World War II Army veteran, earning the rank of staff sergeant in Company K, Rainbow Division.
He first studied engineering at North Dakota Agricultural College, but after eight months was sent to combat in Europe. He served from 1943 to 1946.
Roy retired in 1987, after 40 years of employment as chief propagator for Adams Nursery in Westfield. His love of gardening continued throughout his life as he shared his passion for landscaping with family and friends.
For many years, as a member of the Southampton Congregational Church, he volunteered to provide beautiful landscaping around the church for the congregation to enjoy.
Another lifelong passion for Roy was music. He had a beautiful tenor voice, participating in a number of singing groups including The Barnstormers, Greater Westfield Choral Association, and the Southampton Congregational Church Choir and Community Chorus. Roy also enjoyed fishing and camping with his family.
Roy is survived by his beloved wife of 60 years, Arlene Smith Seely; one son, Richard Seely and wife Ann of Greenfield; and two daughters, Janet Johnston of Canaan, N.H., and Caryl McPherson and husband Daniel of Charlestown, N.H.
He was predeceased by one brother, Albert Seely, but leaves a sister, Eva Bouvier, and husband Roger of Auburn, Maine, as well as nine cherished grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held in the Southampton Congregational Church on Nov. 1. Donations in Roy’s memory may be given to the Dorothy Andrews Fund, Southampton Congregational Church, P.O. Box 145, Southampton, MA.
Mitchell Funeral Home of Easthampton is in charge of arrangements.
Published in the Daily Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, MA) – September 17, 2009
[Great-grandson SGS # 3242 – Roy F.; William Alfred; George Thomas; Linus (# 3242); Linus (#1428); Seth; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah; Obadiah]
