Roy Edward Rider, 77, of Lynn, passed away on Feb. 28 at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, after a long illness.

Born in Boston and growing up in Braintree and Marion, Roy fell in love with the ocean. While his life took him to many different parts of the country and the world, Roy always ended up back at the shore. He graduated from Wareham High School in 1960 and enlisted in the Army in the same year. Shortly after marrying Sheila, Roy returned to Marion for 20+ years to raise his children. Most of his professional career was spent in sales, working one on one with people. Roy was the friend you never knew you had. Within five minutes of meeting him, you would think you had known him your entire life. He would have given you the shirt off his back, or at least shared a good laugh as humor was important to him.

Roy was active in the theater in his adult years, performing with various acting groups throughout greater Boston. He also had a passion for family history and genealogy. A beer and his tobacco pipe were Roy’s guilty pleasures, typically enjoyed on the front stoop of his apartment building where he could strike up a conversation with friends and strangers alike.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sheila; son Erik Rider and wife Karla of Auburn, Maine; daughter Kristin Rider Sears of Bridgewater; grandchildren Benjamin, Megan, and Maeve Sears of Braintree; as well as countless grand cats and grand dogs. He also leaves behind his sister, Janice Rose, of Wrentham.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date. Donations in memory of Roy can be made to Medicine Wheel Productions, Inc., of South Boston, for more information visit https://mwponline.org/wordpress/donate.