JOYCE, John M. 72, went to meet His Creator on New Year's Day, 1 January 2009, after a heroic battle with cancer. He was born on February 8, 1936, in Dorchester, Massachusetts, the son of the late Eileen
(Sullivan) Joyce and spent most of his life in the Greater Boston area until 1993 when he and his beloved spouse, Rita (Renaud) Joyce, moved to Riverview, Florida, to enjoy retirement. After high school he
enlisted in the United States Air Force and was forced into an Honorable Discharge after basic training due to hearing problems that required major surgery due to aggravation caused by high elevations and sounds of planes. He had been a "bionic" man at one point with two hearing aides but then had total
hearing loss in his left ear and very little remaining in his right. John suffered many medical setbacks over his almost 73 years of existence and all who knew him were always amazed at his "miraculous"
recoveries. None of these setbacks ever kept John down. He was a man of many trades in his early years - delivery man for a bread company, mason, factory worker, electrical school graduate -- and eventually, after an equivalent of 2 years of college, John ventured out into the electronics field where he became a very willing apprentice and eventually an accomplished self-made Electronics Engineer and Sales Representative in that field. He also owned his own Electronics, Sales and Service companies in
Massachusetts for a number of years until bank failures forced him to close down. In his "retirement" years since 1993, he honed his expertise in computer technology and all his friends, family and
acquaintances knew that if there was a computer glitch of any kind all they had to do was call John who
would walk them through their dilemma right over the phone or if more analysis was needed just drop off the computer and John would diagnose and charge only ifparts were needed...often using spare parts of his own at no cost. For several years at Christmas John enjoyed bringing the Joy of the Lord to all
(Scouts, breakfast with Santa, etc.) but especially the shut-ins in local nursing homes with his spouse as Mr. and Mrs. Santa joined by elves and a group of carolers. John's greatest joy and accomplishment,
however, was becoming the Special Projects Coordinator for his church, St. Stephen Catholic in Valrico. He devoted the last 5 years of his life lining up vendors, choosing contractors and doing whatever was required to bring the best to all activities and endeavors to a fast-growing Church family at St. Stephen
Catholic Church for the Honor and Glory of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. John was a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus Council of St. Stephen Parish in Valrico and a distinguished member of its Color Guard. He also served his church in the capacity of Eucharistic Minister. John gave his all
and his best to this last phase of his life. John is survived by his spouse of 33 years, Rita (Renaud) Joyce who will love him forever; his three beautiful children, Sheryl (Joyce) Tweedy and her spouse Joseph of Londonderry, NH, Paul Joyce of Pepperell, MA, Michael Joyce and his wife Marion of Pepperell, MA; his maternal aunt, Rita (Sullivan) Roy of Ayer, MA, with whom he lived during his teen years and
considered as "Mom" and her two daughters Betty Ann Roy and Jane (Roy) Lizotte; his brothers Joe
Joyce and George Joyce of Clearwater, FL, Francis "Butch" Joyce ofZephyrhills, FI, Kevin (Joyce) King of Hawaii adopted in youth, his sisters Rita (Joyce) Howle and Eileen "Candy" (Joyce) Woods of
Clearwater, and Poppi Tong of New Hampshire and sister-in-law, Vicki Joyce of Zephyrhills, FL; six
grandchildren Heidi Joyce, Michael Joyce, Brandon Tweedy, Douglas Joyce, SPC Courtney Tweedy of the U.S. Anny currently serving in Iraq, and Amber Joyce; two great grandchildren Kayla and Makayla.
He also leaves behind many other cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws as well as a multitude of grieving friends too numerous to mention who will miss his giving, loving, jovial personality. John was preceded in death by his youngest son Kenny in 2000, his brother Vic Joyce, and his "adopted step dad" Joseph Roy. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society or the Knights of
Columbus, both in care of St. Stephen Catholic Church in Valrico, FL. The viewing will take place on
Tuesday, January 6th, from 7-9 p.m. in St. Stephen Catholic Church and the Mass in Celebration of John's life will be celebrated Wednesday, January 7 ,at 11 a.m. at St. Stephen Catholic Church.
John's arrangements were entrusted to Serenity Meadows Funeral Home. Words of comfort may be expressed at serenitymeadows.com