- Date Of Birth: July 25, 1955
- Date Of Death: June 6, 2017
- State: Minnesota
Roland Gene Roy, “Baby Joe”, “EYABAY” which means The Dominant Buck, of the Turtle Clan, journeyed to the happy hunting grounds on June 6, 2017 at his home with his family by his side. He was born in Red Lake on July 25, 1955 the son of William Roy, Sr. and Marian (Cobenais) Roy.
Roland graduated high school in Red Lake in 1973 and enlisted in the U.S. Army. He traveled to Germany where he learned to drive truck. He was honorably discharged in 1976. Returning home he obtained his Journeyman’s license as an electrician. Roland was a co-owner of R & R Electric and retired in 2004 due to health reasons. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, going to the casino, watching movies and listening to classic rock music. One of his favorite pass times was riding around the back roads of Red Lake enjoying nature. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren and pushing his mom in her wheelchair around the Red Lake area. Roland developed several long lasting relationships and cherished all of his friends. He was a true warrior who wasn’t afraid of anything. He loved his traditional ways. Attending pow-wows, and using the sweat lodge and traditional ceremonies to help with health issues and to keep himself in balance.
The family that Roland joins again are his dad; William, step mother; Violet Roy, maternal grandparents; Joseph and Mary Cobenais, paternal grandparents; Frank and Sophia Donnell and Raymond Beaulieu, siblings; Lora, Douglas and Roselyn Desjarlait and step brother; Melvin May, Jr., numerous aunts and uncles.
Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his mother; Marian Roy of Red Lake, sons; Roland Jesse Roy, Joe Anderson, and Lydell Feather all of Red Lake, daughters; Michelle Corneliusen of Hastings, MN and Billie Jean Roy of Red Lake, brothers; James (Kay) Roy and Willam (Chelle) Roy, Jr. both of Red Lake, sisters; Wilma (Tony) Roy-Mondragon and Mary Ann (Richard) Cook both of Red Lake, step brothers; Adrian and Greg May of Red Lake, step sisters; Pam and Shelly May of Red Lake, 18 grandchildren, special friends; Olga Hanson and Lucille Anderson, other relatives and many friends.
