ROCKPORT – Royce A. Carroll, 86, went home to be with his Lord, Tuesday, December 29, 2020, in the comfort of his home, with his beloved wife of 66 years at his side.

Born in Rockport, October 31, 1934, Royce grew up in West Rockport.

He attended local schools and was a 1954 graduate of Rockport High School.

As a teen, he enjoyed Scouting as a member of Boy Scout Troop No. 214 in Rockport.

Royce married the ‘Love of his life’, Dorothy L. Staples, at the Rockport Baptist Church, August 8, 1954.  Dot and Royce made their home, built by Royce in West Rockport, where they raised their two daughters, welcomed two son’s-in-law and have loved and doted on their grandchildren, extended family and friends.

Royce worked on area farms several years before beginning work with the former Knox Lumber Company in Camden, moving on to the Camden Tannery for 11 years.  

About this time, he found his gift of building natural stone walls from local field stones, becoming well known for numerous beautiful walls in the Midcoast area. The passion he found in this career stayed with him until his 80s with the final wall running along the front of his property in West Rockport.  Concurrently for 21 years, Royce worked at Fuller Equipment John Deer of Union until its closure.

For 11 years, Royce served in the United States Army Reserve.  He was a past member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Rockland Lodge. 

Royce was a longtime member of West Rockport Baptist Church, where he thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship he found in many of the activities.   

A true ‘Maineah’, Royce had a dry, quick wit and a heart that accepted and made anyone feel welcome, even if you had just met, as he had never met anyone considered a stranger. Perhaps this is why so many felt that his home was their second home as the door was always open and the table always had room for an extra chair.

One of the many activities Royce enjoyed was the gathering of good friends for card games.  All of his life he and Dot gathered with siblings and close friends to play games, enjoy food, and much laughter.  

Royce was predeceased by his parents, Henry Maurice Carroll, Sr.,  and Nora T Carroll.  He is also predeceased by brothers H. Maurice Carroll, Jr, (wife Anita), brother Phillip Carroll (wife Arlene), nephew M. J. Moulaison.

Besides his wife Dorothy, Royce is survived by his daughters and their husbands, Brenda and Nathan Pierpont of Fenton, Missouri; and Cindy and Gary Salo, of Warren; his sister, Sharon Carroll of Brewer; four grandchildren, Russell Pierpont (wife Joyce) of Washburn, Iowa, Thomas Pierpont ( Devon Kane) of Winterport, Hannes Salo (Aly Diviney) of Appleton, and Aili Robinson (husband John Robinson) of Jefferson, and six great-grandchildren, Madelyn, Lorena, Annabelle, and Olivia Pierpont and Alexandria and Julianna Salo. Royce also leaves behind several well loved nieces, nephews, and many good friends.  

Friends and relatives are invited to a ‘walk-through’ visitation, from 5 to 7 p.m., Tuesday, January 5, 2021, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. 

Due to COVID restrictions, all guest are asked to wear a mask, enter and then exit the building after a brief visit, giving all in attendance time and distance to greet the family.  A private funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, at West Rockport Baptist Church.  The Reverend David English will officiate. Interment will follow at West Rockport Cemetery. 

All are invited to attend virtually by logging on to Royce’s Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com, then  clicking the ‘Photos & Videos’ Tab, where a Watch Webcast link will be available. 

To share a memory or story with the Carroll family, please visit their online Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.   In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to West Rockport Baptist Church, P.O. Box 221, West Rockport, ME 04856.