OBITUARY Roy Blood March 18, 1933 – July 17, 2018 Play Tribute Movie Leroy “Roy” Blood, 85 Winslow – Our beloved dad, Leroy Blood, passed away on July 17, 2018 at Glenridge Long Term Care in Augusta. Over his last days his loving family had been by his side. For the past couple of years Roy suffered from Alzheimer’s and resided at the Woodlands in Hallowell before moving to Glenridge.
Prior to moving to the Woodlands Assisted Living Facility, Roy required care at his residence in Winslow. Elaine Knowlen and Lara Blood provided countless hours helping Leroy with his many needs. It was Roy’s request to remain home for as long as possible and Elaine and Lara with help from his son Steve, his son-in-law Scott and his granddaughter Katie allowed him to do just that.
Roy was born on March 18, 1933 in Belmont, Maine. He was the son of Mary and Milo Blood. He graduated from Unity High School and was drafted in the US Army during the time of the Korean War and became a member of the American Legion.
At the age of 19, he married the love of his life Margaret Giggey. After being discharged from the army, Leroy and Margaret returned to Maine where he attended college at the University of Maine in Orono. He graduated with a B.S. degree in Education followed by a Master’s Degree in Education.
His first teaching assignment was at Bucksport High School teaching agriculture. Roy returned to the University of Maine and earned his C.A.S. in Administration. His first job as a principal was at Newport High School.
He decided to leave Newport High School and he took a position as principal of Winslow High School. Leroy worked in this position for 26 years. During this time, he once again returned to the University of Maine and earned his Superintendent Degree.
After serving as principal, Leroy decided to retire but he just couldn’t keep away from what he loved to do. After retiring for one week, he accepted another position at Kennebec Valley Technical College developing a technical program for kids called Tech Prep. He worked there for seventeen years before retiring once again.
While retired, he took on another job writing grants for a private school called Ironwoods. Roy was secretary for Kennebec Valley Conference Athletic Directors. He loved sports and loved working with the A.D.’s.
He was a member of the Mane Principal’s Association. He was proud to be a member of this committee that was involved in creating the Sportsmanship Award given out to schools during tournament play. A highlight of his educational career was when he chosen Principal of the Year.
In his spare time, Leroy enjoyed watching and betting on harness racing. He and his son Steven owned race horses for years and enjoyed watching them race. Several weekends were spent at racetracks around the state especially Scarborough Downs.
Even when they owned horses that raced in other states, Steve bought a racing program so that Leroy could watch them on his television at home. He loved joining the winning circle time after time with his son and family to have their pictures taken. Roy was a member of the United States Trotting Association.
He also served on the Maine Breeders Stakes Committee. Roy and Steve raced their horses in Maine, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware and Pennsylvania. Leroy was an avid sports fan of the Boston Red Sox, the Celtics, and the New England Patriots.
He especially enjoyed playing golf. He was a member of Waterville Country Club for over 25 years where he held various leadership positions. He was Chairman of KVCC golf tournament scholarship fund raiser.
He lived for the competition amongst his foursome. Roy also enjoyed playing golf with his family. Roy loved playing pool.
He had an antique pool table in the basement of his home and spent many hours playing. He enjoyed challenging his son and daughter to games of Eight Ball and Nine Ball. Roy also loved to deer hunt.
He enjoyed hunting with his father Milo and his brothers Clayton, Stanley and Maurice. Roy and Margaret loved to travel. Often times Margaret’s brother Clayton Giggey and his wife Mildred would join them when they traveled around the country attending principal conventions.
It became a tradition for them to travel to Orlando, Florida each year for vacation, enjoying each other’s company and simply having fun. During many school vacations, Leroy and Margaret ventured to Orlando, Florida with his granddaughter Katie, his daughter, Elaine and her husband Scott. Fun times were had swimming, visiting Disney parks, eating at the Golden Coral, or competing on the putting green.
Leroy loved eating the buffet breakfast at the hotel especially homemade Belgian waffles with lots of strawberries. For years, Leroy was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Winslow where he and his family attended Mass on Sundays. Even after his disease progressed and it was difficult to get around, he and his daughter Elaine attended Mass together at St. John’s.
Leroy is survived by his son Steven Blood and his wife Lara of Winslow; his daughter Elaine Knowlen and her husband Scott and his granddaughter Katie of Winslow; his brother Clayton Blood and his wife Barbara of Searsport, Maine; his brother Stanley Blood of Belfast, Maine; his brother-in-law Clayton Giggey and his wife Mildred of Waterville, Maine; his sister-in-law Ruth Blood of Skowhegan, Maine; his special friend Lorraine Dufour and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his wife of 52 years, Margaret, he was predeceased by his brother Maurice, his sister Carol, his parents Mary and Milo, mother-in-law Mildred Pottle and father-in-law Maurice Pottle. The family would like to express our thanks to the staff at the Woodlands and Glenridge for the compassionate care of Roy.
We can’t thank you enough for all of your kindness and support. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday July 25, 2018 from 5 – 7 pm at Veilleux Funeral Home, 8 Elm Street in Waterville. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday July 26, 2018 10:00 am at Notre Dame Catholic Church, 112 Silver Street in Waterville.
Burial will follow in Halldale Cemetery, Route 220, Montville, Maine. Please visit www. veilleuxfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of Roy’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.
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