Reverend Maurice Joseph Wilfrid Roy, age 79, died on February 20, 2026 at the UVM Medical Center, Burlington, Vermont, following a battle with cancer. Father Roy was born on July 12, 1946, in Winooski, Vermont, the son of Wilfrid and Andree Anna (Cote) Roy.

He attended St. Francis Xavier School and Winooski High School. In 1966, he entered St. John Vianney Seminary in Barre, VT, and after two years attended St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore, MD. He served as a deacon at St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Church, Newport in 1972 and at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Burlington in 1973. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Burlington by Bishop John Marshall on September 15, 1973, at St. Francis Xavier Church, Winooski.

His priestly assignments began as Parochial Vicar at Holy Angels Church, St. Albans (1973-1976), St. Mary Star of the Sea Church, Newport (1976-1978), Christ the King Church, Burlington (1978-1982) and St. Augustine, Montpelier (1982-1983). He served as Pastor of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Canaan (1983-1988), St. Paul, Barton (1988-1992), and Holy Angels and Immaculate Conception, St. Albans (1992-2019). Father Roy’s diocesan responsibilities included being the Chaplain to the St. Albans Knights of Columbus, serving on the Diocesan Personnel Board and as Dean of the Burlington Deanery. He was granted Senior Priest status in 2019 and continued to serve in substitute ministry until his health failed.

He received a Master of Divinity from St. Mary’s Seminary, Baltimore, MD in 1972, and a Doctorate of Ministry from the same institution in 1987. In 1993 he received a Master of Arts in Spirituality from Creighton University, Omaha, NE.

He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Roland. He is survived by his brother, Denis (wife Claire) of Florida, his niece Denise Roy and her children Destinee and Alishea.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by the Most Reverend John J. McDermott at Holy Angels Church, St. Albans VT on Friday March 6, 2026 at 11am. Calling hours will be held the same day, prior to the start of the funeral, in Holy Angels Church from 10am to 10:45am. Interment will take place in the Roy family lot in Saint Francis Xavier Cemetery this spring.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Holy Angels Church (stalbanscatholic.vermontcatholic.org) or the Carmel of St. Joseph community in Lowell Vermont (carmelitesofvermont.com).