Roy A. Colella

Roy A. Colella, 85, of Norwell, Massachusetts, died peacefully held by family on Sunday, December 17th. Born in Quincy, Massachusetts to Rita and Anthony Colella, Roy was a first-generation Italian American. He overcame all prejudice of his cultural background to become a passionate dentist. He dedicated his life to both his pursuit of dentistry, his family, and his community.

Roy was a graduate of Quincy High School, Boston College, and Georgetown University College of Dentistry. He was a lifelong learner and shared his passion for his craft as an

Assistant Professor at Boston University’s Henry M. Goldman School of Dentistry. He loved lecturing and showing his students the art of dentistry and often compared it to mini architecture.

Roy married his love, Anna, on September 2, 1961. Married for 62 years, they built a wonderful life together.  With four daughters, Anne Marie (Kevin), Christine (David), Maureen (John), and Danette, they had a complete family. Roy was a strong, kind, loving, and supportive husband and father. He showed his “girls” that anything was possible, and they could do whatever they set their minds to during a time woman may not have had that power to think this way. He was a renaissance man in this sense all while teaching his daughters service to community.

Roy practiced dentistry for over 58 years in Columbia Square, South Weymouth. He loved his staff and patients, and they loved him. When he sold his practice, he was sure they were well cared for. Roy was busy in his community as a choir member for many churches. He loved to sing and enjoyed performing in various community events. He was a craftsman both professionally and personally. In his free time, he enjoyed going to the South Shore Model Railroad Club and spent many hours building large networks of HO scale trains. He loved woodworking and building model ships with rigging so detailed by knotted dental floss. His talents and ingenuity were loved and shared with so many.

Though Roy loved all his hobbies, his favorite role was that as a Papa. Roy treasured his time with his grandchildren Jesse (Sarah), Sophie, Jacob, Lucas, Delia, Rose, Rita, and Roy. He cherished their visits, having fun with them doing puzzles, challenging them to fix things, watching sports, or talking about history.

Roy will always be remembered for his smile and silly phrases. We couldn’t have asked for a better husband, father, and grandfather, and will miss him terribly. We know his memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Visitation will be held Tuesday, December 26th from 4-8pm at McDonald Keohane Funeral Home, S. Weymouth. The funeral mass will be held at St. Paul’s Parish, Hingham, Wednesday, December 27th at 10am. In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made to Be Like Brit or Boston Children’s Hospital Trust.