MY MEMORIES OF FATHER

by JoAnn Baca

The very first time I saw Roy Dotrice in person was at the 2000 Beauty and the Beast fan-run convention, A Distant Shore II: Remember Love. That July weekend he was on vacation in Mexico with his beloved wife, Kay, but surprised us all when he flew in just for the banquet. He arrived, quite elegantly, in his tuxedo, after we were all seated. He then went around the room, stopping at every table and greeting everyone as if we were all his old friends. Those he actually knew got hugs and kisses, and it was remarkable to me how many fans he greeted that way. My reaction was a surprise to me: I burst into tears, murmuring that Father had come to the con. It really did feel like that – his fatherly presence, his warmth, his kindness were nearly palpable.

I saw Mr. Dotrice on several other occasions since that memorable first time, and every time, he was the soul of kindness. At the 2007 convention, Perchance to Dream: A Life Without Limits, he even was thoughtful enough to bring cases of wine to the banquet for everyone to enjoy! [I actually saved one of the boxes the bottles of wine came in to remember his gesture by – it’s still among my B&B treasures.]

But the thing I most remember about him was when I was on the con team for Follow Your Heart: Beauty and the Beast by the Bay. That year I had occasion to deal with Mr. Dotrice “behind the scenes.” I can say unequivocally that when he was “being himself” he was exactly the same as the sweet, funny, thoughtful, gentle man he was when he was “on stage.” He was just himself, always. And he was always a true gentleman. He may also have been one of the most talented men of his, or any other, generation, a winner of awards, an acclaimed actor…and the indelible character of Father. But he lives on in my heart because of who he was as a person – a true star of a human being.