FALMOUTH – Roy William Peppiatt, 86, passed away in the early hours of the morning of March 8, 2025, on his own terms. Roy had a quick mind, a beautiful voice, and was committed to his word and choices. He was much loved by friends and family alike, and he will be greatly missed.

Roy was born in Harlow, Essex, England on April 7, 1938, and grew up during World War II, with doodlebugs flying overhead and blackout curtains in every window. Despite the dangers of wartime, he spent his early school years happily, running the fields, swimming in the river, hunting rabbits, and gathering eggs from the family’s chickens to add to the dinner table. His father’s untimely passing, and his own near-drowning experience, both at the age of 8, forever shaped Roy’s attitude about life and death. The colors he saw as he was losing consciousness made him unafraid to cross over, and he later taught his daughters that death was part of life and could be seen as beautiful.

Roy was the third of four children: his two older brothers, Derek and Douglas, who gave him lessons in all things male – especially boxing – and his younger sister, Edna, who introduced Roy to his future wife, Jill Watson, and later became his next-door neighbor in Falmouth, Maine. “Typical brothers and sister” he would say. “Good fun!”

Roy’s family sent him to Enfield College, where he excelled in Mechanical Engineering and met his future brother-in-law, Ted Sayers and his close friend, Barry Harvey. Roy and Jill eventually married and soon welcomed twin daughters Julie and Amanda, and later, their third daughter Nicola. Following his service in the Royal Air Force, Roy and his family emigrated to Toronto, Canada at Barry’s urging, where he and Jill welcomed their fourth daughter, Deborah. It was here that Roy worked for IBM and where he and Jill met their lifelong friends, Ken and Sue Gould, with whom they spent many happy times.

Family vacations soon brought Roy to his brother-in-law’s home in Falmouth, and in 1967, Roy and Jill emigrated there, where they now reside. The family first lived “on the flats” near Mackworth Island, followed by decades of living within a mile of Falmouth Town Landing.

Over the ensuing years, Roy put his considerable skills as a mechanical engineer to work for several prominent companies, to include WH Nichols, General Electric, and Lanco. Roy also owned and operated his own successful business, Polytech, and he continued to work through his retirement years, including working at Maine Hardware and teaching at SMCC, which he enjoyed wholeheartedly. It was only the COVID-19 pandemic that was able to slow down his robust work ethic. True to his skill as an engineer, Roy enjoyed working with his hands. He built a dory, a Soapbox Derby car, and served as his own general contractor during the remodeling of all of his homes.

Roy was a lifelong athlete and deeply committed to health and fitness. He was a champion racer in his youth and early adulthood, and coached soccer at Falmouth High School. For decades he would be seen running or walking up and down Route 88 in Falmouth. Biking, hiking, skiing, and bowling were only a few of the activities he enjoyed, and Roy and his family spent many years enjoying local beaches, boating on Casco Bay, and even whitewater rafting.

Singing was Roy’s true passion. Greatly influenced by his mother’s classical musical and vocal training, he became a gifted singer in his own right and eventually joined the Maine Barbershop Harmony Society group, The Downeasters. There he sang lead in several quartets, including The Oceanaires, The Intown Associates, and Fanfare. With Fanfare, Roy won multiple Division and District championships and competed several times at the International Championship level. Roy dearly loved his barbershop group friends, and he and Jill often traveled with their close friends Elaine and Russ Lund.

Roy truly loved his family, and he delighted in his many nieces and nephews, his grandchildren, and in his last 15 years, his great-grandchildren.

Roy is survived by his wife of 65 years, Jill C. Peppiatt; his daughters Julie A. Richard (David), Amanda J. Greco (Martin), and Deborah L. Peppiatt (Chris Orr), his honorary daughter, Julia Morris; his grandchildren Lindsay Carrier (Eric), Brigham McKenney, Matthew Richard (Heather), Andrew Greco (Samantha), Christina Millett (Matt), Nicholas Danforth (Gwen), Emma Richard; and his great-granddaughters Madeline, Amelia, Mila, Hallie, Juliet, Ellis, and Ingrid.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings Doug, Derek, and Edna; his daughter and best friend, Nicola Clare; and his seventh grandchild, Joshua Danforth. He was greatly looking forward to seeing them all when he crossed over.

There will be a memorial gathering on April 27, 1 p.m. at Foreside Community Church, 340 Foreside Rd. (Route 88) in Falmouth. The family will be live-streaming Roy’s service for those who cannot attend in person. The livestream may be viewed by going to Foreside Community Church’s YouTube channel and navigating to their live tab, or by checking their Facebook page. Both are linked below:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/12F2mm4v85Y/?mibextid=wwXIfr

YouTube: https://youtube.com/@foresidecommunitychurch?si=Zh9eU-0cGP2bzm1F