Raymond "Ham" Roy

Old Orchard Beach

Raymond "Ham" E. Roy, 76, of Old Orchard Beach, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Sunday, December 14, 2025.

Born in Biddeford, Maine on April 3, 1949, he was a son of Leo Paul and Laurette Roy. Ham grew up in Biddeford, his childhood being mostly spent at the Memorial (Mayfield) Park athletic fields. Many of Ham's oldest and best friends are Biddeford guys. Ham attended Catholic schools graduating from St. Louis High School in 1967. He then went on to study at the University of New Hampshire. In adulthood, he helped local youth sports programs through his membership in the St. Louis Alumni Association.

Early in life Ham worked in the Old Orchard Beach downtown scene. He and Linda met there and they married on September 9, 1989. Then his love of the outdoors led Ham to a long term job as leader of the grounds crew at the University of New England. At the time of his retirement, he was a foreman at Forest Hill Cemetery in South Portland.

Ham's many interests included surfing and competitive power lifting. He was an avid sports fan, loyal to all the New England teams. He also loved tending to his yard and he became very knowledgeable about shrubs, trees and growing conditions. His vegetable garden each summer and fall was something to envy as it was both tidy and productive. Over the years Ham also completed several home projects with results rivaling those of professionals.

Ham was never without a pet. Along the way he rescued many cats and dogs and gave them the run of his home. For example, one time he found a kitten in a snow bank, carried him home tucked inside his jacket, and dubbed him "Little Ham". His dogs all came from shelters or simply drifted into his home and heart on their own because they heard it was such a good deal. On his almost daily walks on the streets and beach of Ocean Park, people may not have known Ham's name, but they surely knew the dog's name. Over the years (and friends will surely remember some of these) Ham hosted: Princess, Scruffy, Sox, Moose, Sudsy, and Sofie. Moxie is the current fur child in the line-up and she will miss him dearly.

As Ham and Linda moved into middle age, they bought the first of three of their Harley-Davidson motorcycles. It was possibly the best decision of their lives as they now were traveling and making lifelong friends through the Harley Owners Group. Many will remember Ham's 1980 TransAm. Over the last several months he has been steadily rebuilding the car. Like the motorcycles, it would be a fun ride, but also provide AC or heat, whichever was needed, and allow the dog to ride too. Sadly, he didn't get to drive "HamsAm" again, as some work remains to be done.

Ham is survived by his loving (and loved) wife of 36 years, Linda Murray-Roy; by his brother, Richard Roy and wife Billie of Portland; by his sister, Monique Boudreau and husband Donald of Lyman; as well as by four nieces and nephews and a few cousins.

Visiting Hours will take place from 11:00AM-1:00PM on Monday, December 29th, with a Funeral Service to follow at 1:00PM at Cote Funeral Home Chapel, Saco.