Roy Jake Tansy Sr.
Mar 16, 1934 -
Jan 10, 2021
Roy Jake Tansy was born in Valdez Creek (C'ilaan Na' - "abundant game creek") March 16, 1934. He was the second born child of Jake and Lilly Tansy after his sister Jane. Roy was blessed to have four younger siblings: Alfred, Louise, Helga and Ruby. Roy grew up in Cantwell (Yedatene Na - "River behind the mountain").
As an adult, Roy became a heavy equipment operator and was a proud member of the Operator's Local 302. He helped build the road from Cantwell to Denali National Park and the Park road.
Roy was 33 when he met the love of his life! He married Irene Widmark on June 1, 1968. After the birth of their daughter Carmel Lillian and son Roy Jake Jr., Roy Sr. earned an associate's degree in accounting at Sawyer Business College in Los Angeles in 1974. Roy returned to heavy equipment operating and helped build the pipeline. It was during these years their youngest son, Douglas Alan, was born. Roy later worked for Alyeska, as a P&CM pump station manager, until he retired in 2002.
Roy actively fought for the rights of the Native community. He was the first president of the Cantwell Alaska Native Brotherhood. Roy served on boards such as Fairbanks Native Association and Tanana Chiefs Conference Board before ANCSA. He was a Doyon board member soon after ANCSA. He served on the Cantwell SVO. Roy was Ahtna president in 1979. He was on the Ahtna Heritage Foundation as an Elder Advisor. Roy later served as an Ahtna Board member for many years working for the betterment of all native peoples and their lands.
After 40 years of marriage, Irene died in a tragic accident in 2009. Roy forever felt this loss. He then realized his greatest hope to see Irene again was to follow Jesus. He became a beloved active member of Hamilton Acres Baptist Church.
Roy was blessed with the love of his growing family as Carmel married Doug Read. Their seven kids adored both Grandpa and Grandma Tansy. Roy Jr. married Martha and has daughter Elli. She loves the things Grandpa Tansy loved, for example, hunting, being outdoors and love of culture. Douglas married Kristine and blessed Grandpa Tansy with five wonderful grandkids. Grandpa Tansy spent the last 5 years of his life living with Douglas and his family in Fairbanks. It was a happy arrangement and he enjoyed his family!
Jan. 10, 2021, as Roy deteriorated from COVID-19, his family was making preparations to bring him home under hospice care. He was glad to hear he was going home and went straight to Heaven. As we mourn the big loss in our lives, we can only imagine the huge celebration he is having with Irene; his parents; brother Alfred; sister Ruby; grandson Josiah; and all his friends and family that have gone before!
Viewing will be at Hamilton Acres Baptist Church, Jan. 15, 4-7 p.m., with a service to follow. A final visitation, service and burial will be in Cantwell, Jan. 17, 12-3 p.m. Please visit blanchardfamilyfuneralhome.com to leave a note, memory or picture.
