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BOYCE CARSELLA Obituary

Boyce Melvin Carsella Sr. Boyce Melvin Carsella Sr., 85, of Bigfork, Minn., died Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, as a result of a stroke. Boyce was born on March 25, 1926, in Chicago, to Pasquale and Anna Carsella. He graduated from Steinmetz High School and joined the Army Air Force, where he served as a radioman on B25s during World War II, where he earned the Victory Medal and the American Theater Ribbon. After serving his country, Boyce opened Carsella's Radio, TV/Appliance Sales and Service in 1948 with stores in Fox Lake and Round Lake, Ill. In 1962 Boyce and his wife, Mary Jane Carsella, purchased Hillcrest Resort in Bigfork, Minn., catering to vacationers from around the country with cabin stays and home-style meals in the restaurant. When Boyce and Jane sold the resort in 1983, they retired to their home on Hatch Lake. Boyce and Jane wintered in Dade City, Fla., near their daughter, Tammy, and family. Boyce loved bowling, flying, sailing, iceboat racing and poker as a younger man and then golf and Bingo in his later years. Boyce was an avid fisherman and loved to guide guests when they owned the resort. Boyce also loved to be a part of his grandchildren's lives, especially when it came to athletic events - he attended soccer games in Florida and football games in Minnesota. Boyce coached Little League baseball for his boys in Illinois which brought him great enjoyment. Boyce was an accomplished pianist/singer spending an early part of his life entertaining in clubs. He loved hearing his family members, Boyce Jr., Michael, Cody, Julie, Jamie and Jenna, play and sing music and would often join in. Boyce was a member of the Jesse Lake Lutheran Church, Bigfork Lions Club and Marcell Senior Club; past president of the Country Aire Estates (Florida), Fox Lake Lions Club (Illinois), and the Fox Lake Chamber of Commerce (Illinois). He was also one of the founding members of the Edge of the Wilderness Golf Course (Bigfork, Minn.) and Fox Lake State Bank (Illinois) and member of the American Legion Post 703 in Fox Lake. Boyce is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Carsella of Bigfork, Minn.; daughters, Mary Linda Jackson, Tammy (Bill Kruger), and Candy (Mike Kee); sons, Boyce Jr. (Jan) and Michael; grandchildren, Mark Jackson, Mindy Jackson, Cody Carsella, Gage Rossbach, Kolby Kruger and Kayleigh Kruger; and many nieces, nephews and dear friends. Boyce was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Laverne Carsella; and brother, Wayne Carsella. Visitation is Saturday, Oct. 29, at 10 a.m. with a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Jesse Lake Lutheran Church in Talmoon, Minn. Boyce's family invites friends and family to further celebrate his life at the home of Mike and Candy Kee following the memorial service.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Daily Herald on Oct. 26, 2011.

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Neil Jamieson

October 27, 2011

The Jamieson family is truly saddened by Boyce's passing. They have many wonderful memories of summers with Boyce & Jane at the Hillcrest Resort. He will be missed, but not forgotten.

Boyce and Pat at their Senior Prom

Tim Proeme

October 26, 2011

The passing of Boyce Carsella Sr, is especially sad for me. He and my Dad were childhood friends. My earliest memories are at the Carsella home on Mineola Bay in Fox Lake. Pasquale and Anna were always gracious to my family and me. I thought they were my grandparents; because we were always there and Anna fed me so much wonderful Italian food; I thought I was Italian for years. Boyce and my Dad always had the classic criscraft and garwood wooden speedboats, iceboats, sailboats and it was always fun. The Carsella family was exceptionally gracious to my family; and were instrumental to the Proemes moving from Chicago to Fox Lake after WW2. My Mother worked at Boyce's TV store. Boyce was responsible for us to have one of the first color TV's. Other favorite memories were boating and waterskiing with Boyce and Mike...and the vacations to Resort in MN are etched in my memory forever. Boyce would entertain us with his piano nightly. The stories Boyce and Pat (my Dad) told of the days in Chicago and Fox Lake are part of both our families lore.
The Carsellas are my family, more than my blood family. Now, Boyce and Pat are together; Smiling and knowing we will carry on our family traditions of great times, fun events and to keep our family ties and friendship to go on for another generation. Their memories will always be with us; and I cannot imagine my life without the Carsella family; luckily our families with be one for longer than we will ever know. I cannot say goodbye to either Boyce or Pat...only keep having good times until we see you on the other side.

alyce langbein

October 26, 2011

Our condolences to the whole Carsella family. A light has gone out of our lives; but his spirit, charm, and enthusiasm for life has passed to his children and grandchildren. We are better people for knowing him.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. Bob and Alyce Langbein

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