Harding, Roy P.

Roy Philip “Phil” Harding, 81, of Canton, Raynham and Zephyrhills, FL, passed away on May 15, 2021, after a brief illness.

Phil was the best friend and beloved husband of Mary (Roache) Harding for 60 years. He was a loving and selfless father to their two daughters, Mary Therese and her husband, Paul Bastable, and Karyn Bridget and her husband, Frank Bayley, and was the adoring grandfather of Gregory MacLeay and his partner, Kelly, as well as close friend and former son-in-law James MacLeay of Shrewsbury. He was also the proud “Papa” of his Golden Doodle Willy, who he loved and spoiled.

Phil was a 1957 graduate of Canton High School. He retired from Otis Elevator in 2006 after 46 years of service and took a position as an elevator inspector for the state of Massachusetts, where he finally retired in 2013. Upon retirement, Phil and Mary spent their winters in Florida where he and Mary enjoyed many years away from the cold and the snow. Phil was an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan and was very proud of his Red Sox memorabilia collection. While in Florida, he enjoyed attending many spring training games. When home in Raynham, he enjoyed spending time at the Holbrook Sportsmen Club where he was a member, monthly luncheons with his Otis Elevator retiree friends, and weekly trips to Home Depot with his son-in-law Paul.

Phil had a profound love of Ireland and Irish music, especially those songs with bagpipes and fiddles. His family will be forever grateful for the wonderful live fiddle performance his nephew Brendan McCann gave him shortly before his passing. He so enjoyed it and we will never forget Brendan’s special trip to pay tribute to his uncle. Phil had a great love of God and of his family. Even as life threw him curveballs, he never failed to make the best out of everything. His strength, character and determination has given his loved ones a lifetime of inspiration.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Roy O. and Ruth T. (Cotter) Harding of Canton, and was the oldest brother to Jacque Crocce of Canton, Mary Lou Skinner and her husband, Carl, of East Providence, RI, James Harding and his wife, CJ, of Melbourne, FL, Lorraine Meninno and her husband, Anthony, of Tewksbury, Leo Harding of South Africa, Susan Rowe and her husband, Alan, of Wilmington, Jeanne Sophis of Stoughton, Marjorie LeBlanc and her husband, Roy, of Rehoboth, Judy Ambrose and her husband, Dan, of Summerfield, FL, and Charles Harding and his wife, Pam, of Carver.

Visiting hours in the Roache-Pushard Family Funeral Home, 210 Sherman Street, on Tuesday, June 1, from 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Wednesday, June 2, at 10 a.m. in St. John the Evangelist Church, 700 Washington Street, or can be attended via live stream at www.harborview.live. Interment St. Mary’s Cemetery, Canton.

Short URL: https://www.thecantoncitizen.com/?p=74769

Posted by Canton Citizen on May 27 2021. Filed under Obituaries. Both comments and pings are currently closed.