It is with deep sadness we announce the death of Joseph Daniel Roy, age 40, of Fort Wayne, Indiana who passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 peacefully in his home after a hard-fought, six-month battle with neuroendocrine cancer.

Joe was born on June 29, 1985, to Daniel and Denise Roy, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A natural-born student, Joe attended St. Jude and St. Vincent elementary and Bishop Dwenger High School. Joe received a bachelor's degree in English from Indiana University. Joe met his wife Helen (Pirrie) on Albion Avenue in Chicago, IL. It was love at first sight. They married on June 14, 2008. Joe and Helen welcomed Jules Isabel in 2009, welcomed Louise Clare in 2014, moved to Fort Wayne in 2016, and welcomed Johanna James in 2018. His commitment to his daughters was unwavering and guided his career trajectory at every step.

A man of many interests, Joe spent his high school years in marching band, wrote about the poetry of Bruce Springsteen as his culminating thesis for his English degree, completed a law degree becoming a Juris Doctor, was a reveler in the Chicago food scene as a critic for Serious Eats, ran professional kitchens in both Chicago and Fort Wayne, was an active school board member and a vinyl record connoisseur. Joe's biggest passion, however, was at home: acting as the educational, administrative, domestic, and logistical backbone of his family.

Joe is survived by his loving wife of 17 years, Helen (Pirrie) Roy, his three devoted daughters, Jules Isabel (16), Louise Clare (11), and Johanna James Roy (7), parents Daniel and Denise Roy, siblings Erika Marx (John), Jenna Roy (Brandon), Emily Comer (Zach), Jared Roy (Rebecca), Elizabeth Roy, Jordan Roy (Mackenzie), Ethan Roy (Grace), mother-in-law Maria Pirrie, sister-in-law Elizabeth Hoffmann (Martin) and many loving nieces, nephews, and godchildren. Joe was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Thomas Roy and James Didier; father-in-law, James Pirrie; and angel babies throughout the family.

Visitation will be held on February 6, 2026 from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, with a Rosary recited at 1:30 p.m. Then, there will be a funeral Mass at St. Peter Catholic Church on Saturday, February 7 at 1:30 p.m. with visitation one hour prior. Burial will be at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

When Joe was diagnosed, a GoFundMe was established to support his care during this battle. If you feel moved to support the future needs of his wife and 3 young children, contributions can be made here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/against-all-odds-joeroys-rare-cancer-battle