Roy V. Holmes

It is with broken hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, uncle, friend, mechanic of Shore Road Garage, and man of God, Roy V. Holmes, who passed away on August 7, 2026.

There are some people who leave fingerprints on everything they touch. Roy was one of those people.

Roy leaves behind his loving sisters, Donna Holmes and Heather Holmes, Doldena (John Riley), his treasured niece Trista Riley, and his beloved nephew Ethan Riley. Along with extended family, dear friends, and countless people whose lives were touched by knowing him. He was predeceased by his beloved parents, Inez Doldena Holmes and Theodore Preston Holmes.

One of the things that meant the most to Roy was his family. He often spoke about how grateful he was to have such a close family. He was proud of the way we stood together, supported one another, and showed up when someone needed us. He cherished those relationships and never took them for granted. Knowing that his family was there for him brought him comfort and hearing him speak about how thankful he was for that closeness reminds us just how deeply he loved each of us. For Roy, family wasn't simply about being related—it was about being there for one another, loving one another, praying for one another, and walking through life together. That closeness was something he treasured deeply, and it is a gift he leaves behind for all of us.

Roy loved his niece and nephew, Trista and Ethan, fiercely. He was so proud of the young adults they had become and took genuine joy in watching them grow, learn, and find their own way in life. He celebrated their accomplishments as though they were his own and was always interested in what they were doing, where life was taking them, and the people they were becoming. He wanted the very best for both of them and was especially excited about passing along the things he loved to Ethan, teaching him about mechanics and sharing the knowledge he had gained over a lifetime. But more than anything he could teach them, Roy gave them something far more valuable—his love, his encouragement, his belief in them, and the certainty that their Uncle Roy was always proud of them. He loved watching them grow into the young adults they are today, and there is no doubt that he will remain a part of the people they become and the memories they carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Resting at The S.O. Mehan & Son Funeral Home Ltd., 23 Main Street, St Stephen, N.B. from where the funeral service will be held on Wednesday, August 12, 2026 at 1:30 PM. Visitation will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday from 11- 1 PM.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.mehanfuneralhome.ca

From the time Roy was a little boy, he loved to build and fix things. Even as a child, he was fascinated by mechanics and would build little machines of his own, taking things apart and figuring out how they worked. That childhood curiosity grew into a lifelong passion and eventually into the career he loved.

Roy wasn't simply a mechanic,  he was a mechanic with a heart for people.

If something was broken, Roy wanted to fix it. But more importantly, if someone was hurting, Roy wanted to help them.

His customers meant so much to him. They were never simply customers who brought a vehicle into his shop. They became friends and people he genuinely cared about.

There were many times when Roy would say he was going to come on Thursday, to Fredericton and his family there knew that probably meant Saturday. Not because he didn't want to come home, but because someone else's vehicle needed fixing.

Someone needed brakes, someone had a flat tire or someone's vehicle wasn't safe and Roy couldn't bring himself to leave someone stranded. He didn't want to let people down.

That was Roy.

He cared about keeping people safe on the road, but the thing he cared far more about was their souls.

While working on someone's vehicle, Roy would talk to them about Jesus. His garage became a place where people could come not only to have their vehicles repaired, but to find encouragement, hope, prayer, and sometimes a listening ear.

Roy was a preacher, but he didn't need a pulpit. His pulpit could be anywhere, beside a vehicle with the hood raised. His ministry could happen while changing a tire. His sermon could happen while replacing someone's brakes.

He talked about Jesus because he loved people. He wanted them to know that there was hope, forgiveness, salvation, and a Savior who loved them. He prayed with his customers, he encouraged them, he shared Scripture, he pointed them toward Christ and over the years, many people would later tell Roy what those prayers and conversations had meant to them.

Some told him, "You prayed for me, and Jesus worked in my life", others said, "You prayed with me, and the Lord healed me."

People shared stories of prayers being answered, lives being changed, health being restored, and people finding Jesus because Roy took the time to talk to them and pray with them.

Roy never took the glory for himself. He knew that Jesus was the One who did the work. Roy simply made himself available. That was his faith—practical, personal, and lived out every day.

Roy's love for his family was just as strong. He was the brother you called when you needed help. Whether a car needed fixing, a wall had been torn down and you suddenly realized you had no idea what to do next, or a problem around the house needed solving, Roy would show up.

One memory says so much about the kind of brother he was.

After getting a flat tire outside Harvey while returning from Fredericton, one of his sister called Roy. He came, fixed the tire, and made sure everyone got home safely. A short time later, Roy handed her a package. Inside was one of those old, bulky bag cell phones.

His reasoning? "You don't need to go into a stranger's house to make a phone call if you ever need help again."

That was Roy.

He didn't just fix the problem in front of him, he thought about how he could protect the people he loved from the next problem.

When his sister had a leak around her basement and needed work done, Roy even bought a small machine so he could dig around the house himself and help save her the enormous expense of having someone else do the work.

He gave his time, he gave his knowledge, he gave his energy, he gave himself.

As word spread of Roy's passing, the stories, phone calls, messages, and visits began. People sharing memories of a mechanic who became their friend.

A man who prayed with them, a man who encouraged them, a man who talked to them about Jesus when they needed hope, a man who cared and perhaps that is the greatest testimony to Roy's life.

He didn't simply repair vehicles, he invested in people. His hands repaired engines, tires, brakes, and machines, but his heart was always looking for an opportunity to point someone toward Christ.

Roy's earthly work is now finished. The man who spent his life telling others about Jesus has now gone home to be with the Savior he loved and served.

We grieve deeply because we love deeply.

We will miss his voice, his laughter, his willingness to help, his knowledge, his stories and his stubborn determination to get the job done.

One of the things we will always remember about Roy was his sense of humor. Even during difficult times in the hospital, he could find a way to make people laugh. One of his favorite expressions was “Oh terribly fine!” He would say it to the nurses, often with that Roy like grin, and somehow he could make even the hardest day a little lighter. The nurses came to know that phrase well, and it became one of those little things that made Roy, Roy.

We will miss those little sayings, his humor, his laughter, and the way he could brighten a room even when he wasn't feeling his best. Those are the memories we will carry with us—the moments that make us smile through the tears.

We will miss being able to pick up the phone and call Roy.

But we will never forget him.

His life was a testimony, his kindness was a ministry, his prayers were a legacy and the seeds he planted in the hearts of so many people will continue to grow.

We take comfort in the words of Scripture: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  2 Timothy 4:7

Roy, your race is finished. Your work here is complete.

You spent your life fixing what was broken, helping those who needed you, loving your family, caring for your customers, and most importantly, pointing people toward Jesus.

Well done, good and faithful servant.

Until we meet again, you will always be loved, forever missed, and never forgotten.

To God alone be all the glory.