Roy Speece, 79, of West Pittston, passed away Thursday, June 15, 2017 in Riverstreet Manor surrounded by his family. Born in Pittston on August 20, 1937, he was the son of the late Samuel Roy Speece and Grace Randall Gilmore Speece.
He was a graduate of West Pittston High School, class of 1955. He served in the U.S. Army. In his earlier years, he had worked as a surveyor for the state. Prior to retirement, he worked as a mechanic at Pride Mobility, Exeter.
Roy was “Coach Roy” to many former West Pittston Rams football players where he coached for 40 years. His proudest moments were seeing his former C-Team players walk out on the Wyoming Area football field in Warrior jerseys. He loved Rams Football and Warrior Football and was also a die-hard Alabama Football fan (Roll Tide). In addition, Roy also coached baseball and basketball. Coach Roy was a no-nonsense coach, who demanded hard work from his players. But he also made it fun for his players and cared deeply about them both on and off the field. He will live on in the hearts of all of his former players and all who knew him.
Surviving are his wife Mary Ann (Smalley) Speece. They would have celebrated 52 years of marriage in October. Also surviving are his sons, Eric Speece and his wife Catherine, West Pittston, and Jason Speece and his wife Nicole, Harding; grandchildren, Ethan, Gage and Tatiana who were truly the light of his life; brothers-in-law Joseph Smalley and his wife Nina, Pittston, and Patrick Smalley, Pittston; sister-in-law Winifred Searfoss and her husband Greg, West Pittston; nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends and relatives Sunday, June 18, 2017 from 5pm-8pm at Adonizio Funeral Home, LLC, 251 William Street, Pittston.