Royston John Bayliss     8/4/36 – 30/4/21
 
Life story
Roy was born in April 1936 and grew up in Summer Street, Stroud with mother Ivy, father Jack and younger sister, Mavis.  He loved visiting Stratford Park swimming pool and enjoyed diving off the top board, sometimes with his sister Mavis on his back!
 
Roy was educated at Parliament Street School and in 1951, at the age of 16, joined the South Western Gas Board as an indentured Apprentice Gas Fitter where he displayed more than average aptitude during his training, obtaining intermediate certificate at the first attempt, and his certificate for the City and Guilds final examination in Gas Fitting in the course of one year against the normal two years study allowed for the examination.  The Branch Manager of the Gas Board in Stroud stated that he proved to be keen, enthusiastic, attending night courses in other subjects on his own account.
 
In 1960 Roy left the Gas Board and started a career with Calor Gas which took him all over the UK, often working away from home.  He often spoke of time he spent in Wales and the many friendships he built.  
 
Roy met his first wife Lavinia who preferred to be called Jane at Kaye Virgo School of Dancing where he and Jane danced together to achieve their Ballroom Dancing medals.  He married Jane in 1956 and lived in a Council House at The Old Common, Minchinhampton which was where he started his family with the arrival of Trudy in 1957 closely followed by Bev in 1959.  He used to ride a motorcycle and had a boxer dog called Bonzo. 
 
He saved hard and was able to buy his first property at Worley Ridge in Nailsworth.  His only son Greg was then born in 1962. He enjoyed spending time with his 3 children, when he could, and always made an effort to take them swimming; usually on a Sunday morning, teaching all of them to swim and to dive from the diving boards.  He also took them on family holidays, mostly in Devon and Cornwall, and to watch motor sports such as the hill climb on the W, jalopy racing and scrambling, usually in Nympsfield,   
 
After moving to a new family home in Stonehouse, which needed extensive renovation, much of which he did himself; he welcomed another daughter Micky in 1969 and started a new job with Air Products which he enjoyed until starting his own business with his childhood friend Dave Hawker.   He played badminton with his wife Jane and built up a large social group of friends, often having parties at each other’s homes.  He then became extremely passionate about playing golf and would take every opportunity he could to be on the golf course.
 
Roy and Margaret had a shared interest in golf and following his divorce from Jane, after 28 years of marriage, he married Margaret in December 1985 welcoming Martin, Tracey and Kate into the family.  Roy and Margaret spent many years enjoying golf and extensive travel throughout the World, often with their good friends Alan and Helen as well as with their ever-growing family.  They also enjoyed entertaining family and friends and often organised meals and family get togethers in their home.  These gatherings became extensively more crowded as the grand-children and great-grandchildren came along.
 
As years went by and Margaret’s health deteriorated, they reluctantly decided to move from their home in Randwick to Quedgeley in Gloucester so they would be able to call on the support of family members.  They seemed to settle in quite well and joined the quizzes and Bingo at Quedgeley Community Centre.  When Margaret was diagnosed with dementia, he made it his mission to take care of her, in the best way he could.  He didn’t always get things right but he did his best.  As a very proud, independent and determined man, Roy struggled to accept help and also to come to terms with his grief over losing his wife as she often didn’t recognise him.  He hankered after the man he was when he was younger and found it increasingly difficult to accept the limitations of getting older.  In June 2020 Roy and Margaret agreed sell their home and move into Park View together so Margaret could receive the care she needed. Despite having lots of people around him and lots of visits from his family Roy became ‘lost’ after Margaret passed away in January of this year.
 
 
Roy, the man
Roy was a gregarious, sociable, friendly and charming person who enjoyed spending time with other people and was often the life and soul of the party. Roy loved to share knowledge and information with a range of like-minded people. He enjoyed activities where he was mentally challenged and particularly enjoyed solving puzzles.  Even though he could be somewhat confrontational at times he preferred to be in a harmonious environment. He didn’t relish conflict or confrontation and often became easily upset if his views were challenged.  Roy generally meant well and always tried to be a decent, kind and caring person. 
 
He found Richard Attenborough documentaries, educational and nature programmes on TV fascinating and loved walking so he could enjoy the countryside, beautiful scenery and nature.  Later in life he favoured Saul Junction, Coaley Peak and Stinchcombe Hill for his walks.  He also enjoyed driving and often took Margaret out on his “mystery tours”.
 
Roy was generally enthusiastic, highly motivated and liked to be organised.  This could appear contradictory at times, as he didn’t like to plan ahead, unless it was regarding travel arrangements. Roy liked his independence, to do things when he wants to, and didn’t particularly respond to taking instruction, adhering to timetables or rules
 
He became very aware of his own, and Marg’s mortality and although he appreciated changes needed to be made in their lives and living arrangements he struggled to come to terms with the loss of control and his independence.  Unfortunately this was compounded by the Covid-19 restrictions which made life more difficult.  He thought everyone outside Park View was having a much better time than him, but as we know, no one really was.  He felt very trapped as his independence had been taken away. Although he said Park View staff were very kind, caring and supportive and did their best, he still felt there were too many restrictions.  All this had a negative impact on his mental health which deteriorated after the death of his wife Margaret.
Roy had a good life and now he can be with his beloved Margaret again in eternal happiness.