Sturbridge: Emil A. Roymans, 81, of Cricket Dr., passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 4 ^th , in the Overlook Masonic Healthcare Center, Charlton, after a long illness.

His wife of 54 years, Rita L. (Windheim) Roymans, passed away on Sept. 17, 2021.  He leaves his four daughters, Amy R. Heffernan and her husband Keith of Wilton, CT, Heather M. Roymans and her husband Jonathan Alexander of Hyattsville, MD, Tracey R. Koszalka of Southampton, NY and Lindsay B. Goodwin and her husband Edward of Sturbridge; his sister, Hilde Gilman of Lowell; his 13 grandchildren, William Heffernan, Katherine Heffernan, Owen Koszalka, Heath Alexander, Dylan Koszalka, Rita Goodwin, Patrick Heffernan, Amanda Koszalka, Edward Goodwin, Emilie Alexander, Charles Heffernan, Olivia Koszalka and Lora Goodwin; and many nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his granddaughter, Elizabeth Claire Heffernan and his sister, Kristen Abraham.  Emil was born in Turnhout, Belgium the son of John and Augusta Josephine (Van Gerwen) Roymans and moved to the United States when he was 6 years old.  He grew up in Chelmsford, MA and spent the summers working at Hampton Beach. He graduated from Northeastern University and received his MBA from Western New England University.  Emil served in the US Army during the Vietnam War Era, serving in Germany as a photographer.

Emil founded his own company, Sego Inc., where he was self-employed as an independent sales representative for several years before retiring in 2014.  He previously owned and operated United Fabricants in Agawam, a company specializing in felt for filtration. He was a member of St. Anne and St. Patrick Parish in Sturbridge and served as a Eucharistic Minister for many years at the parish. Emil loved playing racket sports; racquetball, tennis, handball and squash, and was a member of the former Village Racquet Club in Charlton where he met many lifelong friends.  Emil loved dancing and singing, especially Elvis Presley.  He was always doing home improvement projects, and enjoyed reading and history, vacations with his family, and spending time with his grandchildren.  He also loved making the family's special recipe for Belgium waffle cookies every year for the holidays.

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 11 ^th , from the Daniel T. Morrill Funeral Home, 130 Hamilton St., Southbridge, with a Mass at 10:00am in St. Anne Church, 16 Church St., Sturbridge.  Burial will be in St. Anne's Cemetery, Sturbridge.  Calling hours in the funeral home will be on Monday, Oct. 10 ^th , from 5:00 to 7:00pm.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Myositis Association at myositis.org .