John Joyce Obituary
John was born in NYC on May 16, 1936 to John and Elizabeth Joyce. He was an extremely proud graduate of Cardinal Hayes High School and married the love of his life, Joan, shortly after. They moved to Rockland in 1967 where they raised their 4 children. John proudly served his country in the United States Navy and then went on to have a very distinguished career in the NYPD, retiring out of crime scene as a detective. Post NYPD, he rejoined the Navy as a successful Naval Reserve recruiter.
John loved to tell stories, especially about the love of his life, Joan. One he always enjoyed telling was about how he would hitchhike from Brunswick, ME on Friday to the Bronx just to see her and then quickly turning around to go back on Sunday. He loved growing up in the Bronx, being part the the Dukes and extremely proud of his Irish roots. John was a very devout parishioner of St. Gregory Barbarigo Church, helped start adoration and was also a long time lector there. He and Joan together formed some of their closest friends through Marriage Encounter who became like family to them. Through the years they often met monthly at someones home for "Group Reunion". He was an avid reader and was very proud of his grandchildren. His greatest joy came from his family.
He is survived by his loving children Maureen Colantonio (Daniel), John Joyce, Jr. (Karen), cherished grandchildren Sean Greene and Megan Andrews (Kyle), Christina and Jonathan Colantonio, Caitlin and Courtney Joyce, and Aidan Falcone, and his cherished great-granddaughter Makayla Andrews. He is also survived by his little brother, Walter, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. John was predeceased by his beloved wife, Joanie, and his loving daughters Eileen and Patricia.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 4pm-8pm at TJ McGowan Sons Funeral Home in Garnerville, NY. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, July 26, 2024, 11am at St. Gregory Barbarigo Church in Garnerville, followed by interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Homes - Garnerville
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1 Entry
Bill McLaughlin
July 24, 2024
JOHN JR. AND FAMILY
MEMORIES & FRIENDS
A FEW MONTHS AGO JOHN HAD COME DOWN TO FLORIDA WITH HIS FAMILY AND HE DROPED OVER TO SEE ME. WE WENT OUT TO LUNCH (TWO OLD GUYS 87 YEARS OLD) REMINISCING ABOUT OUR YEARS WHEN WE WERE YOUNG.
WE FIRST MET IN THE FIRST GRADE IN ST. ANGELA'S WHEN WE WER 6 YEARS OLD. AFTER ST. ANGELA'S OFF TO CARDINAL HAYES HIGH SCHOOL FOR FOUR YEARS. JOHN AND I, IN OUR SENIOR YEAR AT HAYES WENT OUT TO FLOYD BENNETT FIELD (AN OLD NAVY AIR BASE FROM THE 2ND WORLD WAR) AND JOINED THE NAVAL RESERVES, WE WERE 17 YEARS OLD.
AFTER GRADUATION FROM HIGH SCHOOL JOHN ACTIVATED INTO THE NAVY WHILE I SWICHED TO THE MARINE CORPS. JOHN AND I BELONGED TO A GROUP OF BOYHOOD FRIENDS OF ABOUT 20 GUYS THAT STARTED TO GO SEPERATE WAYS. (ARMED FORCES, COLLEGE, MARRIAGE) BUT ONE THING WAS CONSTANT: WE NEVER LOST CONTACT WITH EACH OTHER. WE HAVE BEEN FRIENDS FOR OVER 80 YEARS AND JOHN WAS THE BEST OF FRIENDS.
GOD BLESS
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71 N. Central Hwy., Garnerville, NY 10923
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