Rev. George V. Joyce

Rev. George V. Joyce 1915 -2009 HOLYOKE - Reverend George V. Joyce, 94, died Sunday October 25, 2009 at Mary's Meadow (Providence Place) in Holyoke. He was born in Holyoke, son of the late John and Nora (Shea) Joyce. Educated in the Holyoke Schools, he was a 1932 graduate of Holyoke High School. Father prepared for the Priesthood at Saint Charles College in Cantonsville MD and at Saint Mary's Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained in Baltimore on June 8, 1943 at Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, and was assigned to the Cathedral Parish and later at St. Thomas Aquinas Church. He became a Priest of the Archdiocese of Washington D.C. when that diocese separated from Baltimore in 1948. Father Joyce was assigned to Saint Augustine Parish, at that time the only African-American parish in the city. There he began his lifelong concern for fairness and justice, and his extensive involvement in the civil rights movement. He was a participant in the 1965 Voting Rights March in Selma AL Father Joyce was pastor of parishes in Baden, Port Tobacco, and Solomon Maryland, and at Holy Comforter and Assumption parishes in the city of Washington. Before his retirement in 1987, he served as associate at Saint Peter's in Olney MD. After his retirement, Father Joyce returned to his family home in Holyoke. Later, he lived for over 10 years at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Springfield, and for the last 4 years he has resided at the Sisters of Providence Infirmary. In his retirement, he began a whole new ministry, spreading God's Word through billboards and prayer groups. Over the years, he led many pilgrimages to Medjugorje, and celebrated a multitude of healing masses. Father Joyce was predeceased by his brothers and sisters, Francis, John, Thomas, David, Christopher, Michael, Anna O'Brien, and Mary Rocklin, his niece Brenda Joyce, and his nephew, Christopher Joyce. He is survived by his sister-in-law, Alice Joyce of Holyoke, his nieces and nephews: Barbara Richard of Holyoke, John W. Joyce of Naples FL, Janet Gillen and Joan Bohn, both of Long Island NY, Dr. Thomas Joyce of Casco Bay ME, Christina Joyce of San Francisco CA,Father David Joyce of Springfield, Sheila Peabody of Yarmouth ME, Marc Joyce of Holyoke, Linda Vincent of Lenox, Jeanne Martin and George Rocklin of Pittsfield, Michael Joyce of Edgartown, and John J. and Kevin Joyce, both of Holyoke, as well as many grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition, he is survived by a host of friends made during his retirement, among them his dear friend, Marie Golba of Chicopee. Visiting hours for Father Joyce will be held at Our Lady of Hope Church, on the corner of Carew and Armory Streets in Springfield, on Wednesday from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., with a Vigil Service to be held at 7:00 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday morning at 10 a.m. in Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield, followed by burial in Saint Jerome Cemetery in Holyoke. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in support of Fr. Joyce's billboard ministry may be made to Our Lady of Hope Church, 577 Carew Street, Springfield MA 01104. The Joyce family would like to thank the dedicated staff of Mary's Meadow for their kindness. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Barry J. Farrell Funeral Home of Holyoke.