JAMES JOYCE

James A. Joyce, Sr.

Age 82, of Wilmington, DE, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, October 24, 2006, with his son, Joe at his side.

Jim was born in Philadelphia, PA, on October 23, 1924. He graduated from Darby High School in 1942, where he was a standout basketball player. He played basketball at Temple for 4 years as a guard. Jim played in various tournaments with Temple and loved to tell the stories of the exciting games he played in Madison Square Garden, in New York City. Jim loved the friendships and good times he had with the players on his team. After Temple, he went on to play professional basketball for the Tri City Hawks in the old National Basketball League. Jim received his degree in Physical Education in August 1949. Jim married his college sweetheart, Ruth, in 1949, moved to DE, and worked as a Physical Education teacher at Ferris School. He continued to play basketball on various semi-pro and CYO teams in the early 50s. Jim worked in the Traffic Department for Hercules for 27 years, retiring in 1979. He then worked at Maryland Rail Car Repair in Elkton, MD, where he applied his vast knowledge of rail cars. He spent a great deal of his retirement years playing golf at Hercules Country Club and caring for many of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Jim was a devoted family man and loved to spend time with his family. Nothing made him happier than to have the whole family over for Sunday dinner.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Ruth L. Joyce, in August 2006; and 6 brothers and sisters. He is survived by his 5 children, James A. Joyce, Jr., of Milford, DE and his wife, Sue, Jean M. Joyce Brady of Sharon, MA and her husband, Martin, Janice E. Mascelli of Wilmington, DE and her husband, Joe, Deborah J. Harrison of West Grove, PA and her husband, John, and Joseph R. Joyce of Wilmington, DE; 14 grandchildren; and 7 great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend A Mass of Christian Burial at Resurrection Parish, 3200 Videre Drive, Skyline Ridge, on Saturday, October 28, 2006, at 10 am. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery. Friends may visit at the DOHERTY FUNERAL HOME, 3200 Limestone Road, Pike Creek, on Friday evening, October 27, from 7-9 pm.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Jim may be sent to the Helen F. Graham Center, 4735 Ogletown-Stanton Road, Newark, DE 19713; or to Delaware Hospice, 3515 Silverside Road, Wilmington, DE 19810.

To send condolences,

please visit

www.dohertyfh.com

(302) 999-8277