John J. Joyce

Farmington - John "Jack" Joyce, age 95, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday August 10, 2025. He was the beloved husband for nearly 55 years of Carole (King) Joyce; proud & loving father of Stephen and Patrick Joyce; grandfather to Kayla Joyce, Noah Joyce & Ella Joyce; father-in-law to Wendy and Rachel Joyce; brother to Robert Joyce (pre-deceased), Mary Lou Pascucci, and Thomas Joyce.

Jack was born in Lackawanna, NY to Leo and Louise (Edgar) Joyce. He graduated from Canisius High School in Buffalo, NY, attended Canisius College for both undergraduate and master's degrees, and received his PhD in English Literature from SUNY Binghamton, where he wrote his dissertation on the poet, Robert Browning. He taught English Literature & Rhetoric for 35 years at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY. He also proudly and honorably served his country while stationed on the front line in the Korean war, achieving the rank of Sergeant First Class.

Jack lived an amazing and purposeful life…

He enjoyed his time in high school and college. He played the saxophone in a 3-piece band in college and was editor for the school newspaper. Decades later he and his classmates would attend reunions and tell stories and jokes as though they had never left.

He was very proud of his service in Korea, sharing many stories with his wife and children about life overseas during the war.

He found teaching English in college to be an exceptionally rewarding career, remarking multiple times "that he couldn't believe he was getting paid to do it."

He loved the Buffalo Bills, watching them at the rockpile when he was younger, and rarely missing a televised game.

He loved golf, playing multiple times a week until the age of 89 – even managing to get 9 holes in a couple weeks shy of his 93rd birthday.

He was also a man of faith, serving as an altar boy in his youth, and as an example to his sons throughout their lives.

For all his remarkable and endearing qualities two characteristics stood out – his quick-witted, entertaining, droll sense of humor, and his ability to make deep connections with friends and family. While he enjoyed numerous lasting friendships throughout the years, he loved his wife, his children and his grandchildren above all else. He never missed a sporting event for either of his boys and attended or watched as many of his grandchildren's activities as he could. He will be greatly missed by those who loved him.

Friends may call Wednesday, September 3, from 4-6 pm, at Johnson-Kennedy Funeral Home, Inc., 47 N. Main St., Canandaigua. His memorial mass will be celebrated Thursday, September 4, at 11am, at St. Mary's Church, 95 N. Main St., Canandaigua. Interment is in Calvary Cemetery, Canandaigua.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Canisius High School, Nazareth University or a charity of your choice. Condolences may be offered at www.johnsonkennedy.com.