Roy Oliver Mills

October 8, 1943 - November 8, 2024

Roy Oliver Mills passed peacefully in his sleep on November 8, 2024 at the Waverly Long Term Care centre. Born in Montreal, Roy spent his childhood in the remote community of Ocean Falls, BC, before settling in Chilliwack, BC in the late 1950's.

Chilliwack was still small enough that most teenagers knew one another and Roy had many friends. He partnered with his friend Bill Coombes to organize teen dances in the early 1960s. Their 'Penguin Club' attracted over 400 members and made Wellington Avenue the place to be on a Saturday night.

Roy married his first wife, Barbara, in 1969 and they had two children, Kimberly and Steven. His children have fond memories of their childhood home on Heather Street, where Roy ran an art studio out of the attic. Roy was a skilled artist focused on life drawing and portraits. In the late 70's and early 80's, he taught life drawing and created original works. He is known by many for his commissioned portraits and had locally displayed pieces; notably the sculpture that welcomed Chilliwack Senior Secondary students at the front entrance from the early 70's to the early 2000's, and his CHWK radio station mural.

Roy was a strong supporter of and contributor to Chilliwack's local business community throughout his life. Pats Style Shop started out of his parents' home in Ocean Falls in 1951. His mother, Pat, began it casually among friends as a mail ordering system to bring women's fashion styles that were not otherwise available. The business quickly gained popularity and developed into a successful venture, although Roy would have complained about having to store dresses in his bedroom closet. In 1957, the family moved to Chilliwack where Pats Style Shop opened its doors on Yale Road East. It moved shortly after to Southgate Mall where it remained in operation for over 25 years. Roy took over running the business and was known to develop relationships with international suppliers, continuing the legacy of importing unique, cutting-edge fashions.

Roy and his second wife, Gisela, took over Alley Cat Specialtees on Wellington Avenue in the early 1990's, transforming it by removing the T-shirt press, maintaining lottery sales and introducing movie rentals which they maintained until DVD rentals began to phase out of demand. You can still see the display walls and shop counters Roy had custom built in the space adjoining Chillibowl Lanes. Roy treasured the community he built with his many devoted customers; "the regulars" as he would call them. Stories of Ernie's toe and Oscar's "Lambergreenie" will not soon be forgotten.

In later years, Roy undertook contract jobs building and designing custom home projects until his retirement. He focused his creative energies on creating furniture pieces with a flair for personalized details where he would tirelessly perfect his craft.

Throughout his life Roy was an independent thinker with an interest in art history, philosophy, history, and poetry. You could often find him sitting at a local café or the Royal Hotel with a thick historical fiction novel and a heavily sweetened coffee.

Roy is survived by his wife Gisela and his children: Kim and her family Shane and Ocean; Steve and his family Jenn, Collin and Ollie.

A celebration of life has been planned for December 8, 2024 between the hours of 2pm and 4pm at Christ Lutheran Church, 9460 Charles Street, Chilliwack, BC.