Roy Maplethorpe

With sadness, we announce the passing of Roy Maplethorpe of Wetaskiwin, Alberta, on December 28, 2025. 

The youngest child of Thomas and Jennie (Bosworth) Maplethorpe, Roy was born on October 30, 1942, in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England. Roy grew up in Lincolnshire, where he worked on the family farms with his father and brother Clifford until his mother passed in 1965. Following her passing, his father sold the farms, and he moved to farm north of Ponoka, Alberta, along with his father, Cliff, and Roy's friend, Chris. Roy's love of farming continued with his love of tractors and heavy equipment. While driving, he enjoyed pointing out various crops, commenting on how well they were growing. 

Roy met Karen through close friends, Ken and Nell, and they married on November 29, 1969. They moved to Edmonton, where he worked for the University of Alberta farm. A few years later, they moved to Ponoka, where the couple owned a car wash and flower shop. They relocated to Wetaskiwin, a midpoint for Karen's job as an X-Ray technician in Ponoka, and Roy's job as a heavy equipment operator at the Leduc landfill. He spent time helping to develop the golf course at the Pine Lake resort, and later began his own landscaping company "Old Countree Landscaping".

Roy often talked of his childhood in England, and his love of sports. Along with the other local lads, he turns one of the family fields into a cricket pitch and soccer field, where he spent many afternoons. His love of soccer and cricket continued, and when he moved to Canada, he took up skating, skiing, hockey, and later on became an avid golfer. 

Alongside his late wife, Karen, Roy enjoyed helping neighbours and gardening. He enjoyed sharing many hobbies including his love of Star Trek, model trains, drawing and photography. His love for his dogs, including Sandy, Trixie, Rex and Marty was clearly evident, especially in the way he rarely left home without them. 

Roy will be lovingly remembered by his and Karen's nieces and nephews and their families, his friends and neighbours and his loyal dog, Marty. 

A Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, January 16, 2026, at Baker Funeral Chapel, Wetaskiwin.

Donations, if desired, are gratefully accepted to the Canadian Cancer Society or the Alzheimer Society of Alberta & N.W.T. 

The family wishes to thank Unit 33 at the Wetaskiwin Hospital and Care Centre for their care and support of Roy during his time there.

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