Donald Bradford

"Don" Roy

Donald B. Roy, self-employed general contractor, and commercial builder, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 20th.  He was 79 years of age.  Born and raised in Beachmont, Revere, he was a beloved son of the late Joseph A. and Suzanne (Selvitella) Roy.

Roy attended local schools in Revere.  He enlisted into the Navy and served during the Vietnam War.  He was a member of the Navy "Seabee's" construction battalion and spent time stationed in Guantanamo Bay during the Bay of Pigs Operation.  He was honorably discharged in 1964 and returned home to Beachmont.

Don continued his education attending Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston matriculating in woodworking, and finish carpentry.  He established himself as Donald B. Roy Construction in Revere and later as Bradford Construction in East Boston.  He designed and built many projects in the area, recently among them was the Florentine Café in Boston's North End and Giacomo's Ristorante in the South End.

He was married to Margaret (Koscielecki) Konikowski–Roy for 54 years.  Together they resided in Orient Heights, East Boston for the past 43 years in the house he designed and built.

In his lifetime Don and Margaret enjoyed time on the ocean, cruising aboard his boat to the Harbor Islands and Cape Cod.  He was a familiar yachtsman at Smith Marina in Winthrop and Constitution Marina in Boston.  Don was an avid animal lover, keeping pets at home, and feeding and observing the urban wildlife around his home.

Don enjoyed his work and never fully retired from his construction work.  He enjoyed taking on various projects, creating and building was his passion.  He is also remembered as being a problem solver finding solutions repairing structures and edifices.

In addition to his parents Don was predeceased by his brother Kenneth Roy formerly of Beachmont.

He is survived by his beloved wife Margaret Konikowski-Roy.  He was the loving stepfather of Paul Konikowski and his wife Jennifer of Billerica.  Cherished grandfather of Carly Konikowski and Phillip Konikowski, adored great-grandfather of Ava and Atlas Butcher, all of Billerica.  He is also survived by his longtime friend Jason Brooks, and canine companion "Smoky".

Relatives and friends are most kindly invited to attend visiting hours on Tuesday, July 25th from 9:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. in the Welsh Funeral Home, 718 Broadway, Chelsea.  Immediately followed by a Funeral Service in the Funeral Home at 11:00 A.M.  Services will conclude with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery, Everett.

Should friends desire, contributions in Don's name may be made to

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105-1905.  WWW.StJude.org/Donate

or Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave, Salem, MA 01970.  www.DonateNortheastAnimalShelter.