Roy Douglas Sarcona's Obituary
Roy Douglas Sarcona
His Stories Will Live On
1947–2026
Roy Douglas Sarcona, 78, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in New Jersey.
Born in Floral Park, New York, to Gasper Sarcona and Dorothy Hartrodt Sarcona, Roy was their cherished only child. He grew up with the curiosity, integrity, and strong values that would shape the man he became. Roy made Fanwood, New Jersey, his home for many years before he and his beloved wife, Mirta, retired to San Antonio, Florida.
A gifted chemical engineer, Roy enjoyed a distinguished career with several companies, including Pfizer, where he met the love of his life, Mirta. Their meeting began a remarkable partnership that spanned 54 years, built on love, respect, laughter, and countless adventures together. He later retired from Best Foods after a successful career in engineering.
Retirement did not slow him down. Roy found a new calling as a high school physics teacher, where he shared not only his knowledge but his enthusiasm for learning. His students and fellow teachers loved him, and they loved keeping him on his toes. More than once, Roy walked into his classroom to find every desk and chair stacked in the middle of the room or every surface covered with hundreds of Dixie cups. He took every prank with good humor, laughing right along with his students and fellow teachers. Those practical jokes reflected the affection and respect they had for him.
Although Roy's professional accomplishments were many, his greatest legacy was the way he cared for others. He was a caretaker by nature. Whether it was his beloved wife, Mirta, his daughter, Shana, his parents, his brothers- and sisters-in-law, his nieces and nephews, extended family, friends, neighbors, or anyone who needed a helping hand, Roy stepped in. He had a unique ability to recognize a need and simply took care of it.
Roy's greatest joy was being Shana's dad, and there was no relationship he cherished more. He encouraged her throughout her career in the automotive industry and took enormous pride in watching her achieve remarkable success. He celebrated every milestone right alongside her. They spoke every day, sharing life's triumphs, challenges, and plenty of laughter. Best friends as much as father and daughter, they treasured every conversation. Whether discussing cars, planning cruises, tackling home renovation projects, or simply enjoying each other's company, Roy treasured every moment they spent with one another.
Roy had a way of saying, "I got this. Don't worry." He did not say the words, but he lived them every day. If there was a problem to solve, he solved it. If there was a burden to carry, he carried it. If someone needed help, Roy was already figuring out the solution. He found genuine joy in making life a little easier for the people he loved.
Roy lived his faith through his actions. He demonstrated Christ's love through humility, compassion, generosity, and quiet service. He did not need to speak about his faith for people to see it, they experienced it in the way he treated others every day.
To spend time with Roy was to hear a story. He was a master storyteller who could make almost any conversation interesting. Whether he was sharing memories from his travels, talking about history, science, current events, or the amusing quirks of people he had met along the way, Roy always had a story to tell.
And every now and then, Roy could not resist telling a tall tale. With a perfectly straight face and impeccable timing, he would spin a story so convincing that you almost believed every word. The only problem was that he could never quite hide how much fun he was having. Before long, his eyebrows would shoot up, a mischievous grin would spread across his face, his shoulders would tighten with barely contained excitement, and his body language would give him away. Everyone knew they were being "taken for a ride," and that only made the story better. His wit, his laughter, and his gift for storytelling made every gathering memorable.
Roy embraced life with enthusiasm. He and Mirta shared a love of travel, especially cruising together and creating memories wherever they went. Music was another lifelong passion. Roy was a devoted fan of The Beatles and especially The Rolling Stones. Few things made him happier than seeing the Stones perform live, and he eagerly looked forward to every concert. He also took tremendous pride in his impressive collections of classic vinyl records and automobiles. As an engineer, he appreciated craftsmanship, precision, and things that were built to last.
Roy was also a lifelong fan of the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Giants, and he never lost his enthusiasm for cheering on his favorite teams.
Although Roy was an only child, he considered himself richly blessed by the family he gained through his marriage to Mirta. He loved his brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces, and nephews as his own, taking great joy in celebrating their lives, accomplishments, sharing stories, and always being there when they needed him. Family wasn't simply important to Roy, it was the center of his life.
Those who knew Roy will remember a man who was brilliant without being boastful, dependable without fail, and generous without expecting anything in return. He solved problems with ease, welcomed every conversation with genuine curiosity, and made people laugh with stories that will be retold for generations. More importantly, he quietly shouldered the burdens of those he loved, making life's challenges a little lighter.
Roy is survived by his beloved wife of 54 years, Mirta, and his devoted daughter, Shana, of whom he was immensely proud.
Roy's life was not measured by the titles he held or the things he owned, but by the burdens he helped carry and the lives he touched. He was a cherished son, a devoted husband, a proud father, a trusted friend, a gifted storyteller, and a faithful servant whose life reflected Christ's love through kindness, generosity, and selfless service.
His stories will continue to be told around family tables, his laughter will echo through treasured memories, and the example he set, loving others by lightening their load, will live on in all who were blessed to know him.
"Well done, good and faithful servant." — Matthew 25:23
Family and friends are invited to gather for visitation on Monday, July 6, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Memorial Funeral Home, 155 South Avenue, Fanwood, New Jersey. A brief funeral service will begin at 4:30 p.m. Interment will take place at Trinity Memorial Gardens in Florida on Saturday, July 11, at 10:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Roy's memory may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
What’s your fondest memory of Roy?
What’s a lesson you learned from Roy?
Share a story where Roy's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Roy you’ll never forget.
How did Roy make you smile?
