Roy Gignac

Roy G. Gignac, 94, of 215 Wyndover Drive, died Monday, April 24, 2023, at his home, surrounded by family.
Born September 30, 1928, in Chicago, IL, he was the son of Alfred and Alice Gignac.

Roy married Joan Frances Weber in 1952. They were happily married for 55 years before Joan’s passing in 2008. In 2009, Roy married Sophia Ruocco. They had a wonderful 13-year marriage before Sophia’s passing in February, 2023.

Roy was a 1952 graduate of Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. He worked for Philco Corporation, RCA and Disston, which brought his family from Illinois to Danville. He then founded Engineering Design and Sales (E.D.S.) in Danville in 1976. Under his leadership the company was recognized as one of the “500 Fastest Growing Private Companies in America” by Inc. Magazine.

He was a faithful member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where he served on many committees through the years. In addition to leading the United Way Fund Campaign for several years, Roy served on the board of the Danville Development Council, Pittsylvania County Economic Development Organization and Danville Industrial Development Authority. He also served as a member of Sovran Bank’s advisory board, Averett University’s Board of Trustees, and the board of the Danville Chamber of Commerce.

As an active Rotarian, he served as president, board member, and on various Rotary district committees. He was a major donor, multiple Paul Harris Fellow and past president of the Paul Harris Society and PolioPlus Society.

Roy was a long-time philanthropist who supported many of the non-profit organizations throughout the community. Of particular interest to Roy was the support of medical research, including Duke University Medical Center and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Roy was motivated to support St. Jude in thankfulness for the health of his and Joan’s children and the success of their business. In 2000, Roy & Joan created an endowment for the Joan and Roy Gignac Endowed Chair of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. In 2009, Roy established the Joan F. Gignac Pharmacogenomics Research Laboratory at St. Jude. He also was given the Cardinal Stritch Award, the highest honor given by St. Jude to a donor.

He valued education and provided many scholarships in higher education to needy students over the years. These scholarships included a special fund set up for local students to attend his alma mater, IIT. In 2008, Roy funded the Joan and Roy Gignac Research Laboratory, also at IIT.

He is survived by his nine children: Roy M. Gignac, Carol Ann Gignac, Mark Gignac (Leannah), Connie Kozel, Thomas Gignac, Paul Gignac, Michael Gignac, Joanne Custer, and Mary Jo Smith (Tim). ; 24 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wives, he was predeceased by two brothers and their wives, Robert and Jean Gignac, and Ken and Dianne Gignac.

A Rosary Service will be held at Townes Funeral Home, Friday, April 28, at 5:00 pm, followed by visitation from 5:30-7:00 pm. The funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Saturday, April 29, at 11:00 am. Interment will follow at Danville Memorial Gardens.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to Sacred Heart Catholic School, 540 Central Blvd., Danville, VA 24541.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memory Wall at www.townesfuneralhome.com The Gignac family has entrusted arrangements to Townes Funeral Home and Crematory, 215 West Main St., Danville, VA, 434-793-1211.