Obituary of Roy C. Archibald

Roy “Duffy” Archibald , a avid boater and retired Draftsman at MIT Lincoln Labs passed away, after a short illness, at his home on Wednesday afternoon, February 12, 2014. He was 87 years old. Roy was born in Everett, the son of the late Lester and Hazel Archibald. He grew up and was educated in Boston. As a child, he spent his summers on the water in Prospect, Maine. He was 17 years old when he enlisted in the Navy to fight in World War II. Roy served on the USS Shangri-La, USS Currituck, and USS Chandeleur. In May of 1946, the USS Shangri-LA , sailed for the Central Pacific to participate in Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests conducted at Bikini Atoll. He was very proud of his military service and was the recipient of the WW II Victory Medal, American Area Medal, the Pacific Ribbon, and the Good Conduct Medal. Roy continued his support of the US Military through his involvement in the American Legion in Burlington. Roy worked for MIT Lincoln Labs for 38 years. He worked as a draftsman and loved his career and the wide variety of projects he contributed to. He had both an analytical mind and the hands of a skilled craftsman. He could make a vision a reality. He worked on classified projects, spacecraft, and solar panels. Roy helped design high tech tanks, and solar panels used at the Mount Washington Observatory and potato farms. He worked on design, models, fabrication, and onsite installation. Roy was never bored in his job and loved all the challenges, innovations, and technology he contributed to. Roy had a great love for the water, which started after summering in Prospect Maine as a child. He was a 40 year member of the Winter Hill Yacht Club. The Yacht Club was an extension of his family. He helped design the docks, helped with maintenance and projects, and even as a bartender. He was an avid boater starting with a small 14 foot skiff to a 28 foot cruiser. Roy would never buy a new boat. He loved refurbishing older boats. He fixed engines, restored decking, installed electronics, and renewed boats that had long been neglected. Roy was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and taught boating classes. He could navigate from charts, deal with foul weather, and spent his summer vacations aboard his boat visiting destinations all over the northeast coast. He loved sharing his love of the water and often hosted fishing trips or pleasure cruises with his family and friends. When he wasn’t on the water or restoring boats, he enjoyed photography, woodworking, and spending time with his family and many friends. Roy was the beloved husband of the late Pauline “Polly” (Lancaster). He was the father of Joseph & his wife Brenda of Burlington, Stephen & his wife Maureen of Burlington, the late Mark and Daniel. Father-in-law of Kathie of Dracut. Brother of Lorraine “Rainey” Bain of Windham, NH and Cynthia of GA. Proud grandfather of Michelle, Cameron, Daniel, and Tyler. A visitation will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Saturday, Feb. 15 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and will conclude with a funeral service at 3:30 p.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Retired from MIT Lincoln Labs and member of the Winter Hill Yacht Club. Memorials in Roy’s name may be made to the VNA Hospice Care, 100 Trade Center, Suite G-500, Woburn, MA 01801.