Roy Behrens

Roy Behrens was born Nov. 18, 1936 in North Saskatchewan, Canada, in a small town named Borden. It was not long before the family moved to Winnipeg, Manitoba. The family name at his birth was Kosubal as they were of Austrian heritage. As so often happened in that age, they changed their name for easier identification to Constable. Roy took his schooling in Winnipeg and played hockey constantly - to the point where this became a major life experience. He played not only in the minor leagues, but also in the major leagues for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadians as a defenseman. Roy always retained his Canadian citizenship but the family did emigrate to the United States in 1957. After his hockey career Roy worked in the family businesses in California- motels and restaurants. In fact, for many years he also worked for a bread company. While these activities were his "vocations", his "avocations” included music and witnessing his faith. He combined them in singing for old time gospel groups - including a famous one at that time, Jack Coleman. He also spent time in Europe singing and witnessing his faith, studying at the Mozart School of Music. singing tenor under the name Willy Rosenthau. Side jobs included being a bodyguard and kid's hockey training. In 2002, he returned to the U.S. to Florida. It was here that he met the love of his life, Cherry, and they married on Nov. 27, 2004 in Melbourne FL. (at a Jewish messianic congregation called Ark of the Covenant). By this time, he retained the name Roy Edward Behrens. He continued to witness his faith in Jesus Christ to whomever he met. in 2008, they moved to Grand Isle for the last years of his life. The Lord called him home to heaven on Sept. 19, 2017. Roy is survived by his wife, Cherry and stepson Walter Bamert and step-grandchildren, Danielle and Nicolas. Interment will be at Faith Viera Lutheran Church columbarium with a reception to follow on Sept.30th 2017.