Thomas William "Tom" Boyce Jr.

1951 - 2024

Waterford - Thomas "Tom" William Boyce Jr. of Waterford passed away of natural causes April 13, 2024, while traveling to visit family in Portland, Ore. Tom was born in 1951 to Thomas William Boyce Sr. and Rose (Eagan) Boyce in New Haven.

He was a graduate of Notre Dame High School in West Haven, and received his Bachelor of Arts from Providence College in 1973, with a cherished year abroad at the Université de Fribourg in Fribourg, Switzerland. After receiving his Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School in 1976, he began his career as an assistant district attorney in the King's County DA's Office in Brooklyn, N.Y. This was a period he looked back on with great pride and about which he regularly regaled family, friends and colleagues. From Brooklyn, Tom returned to Connecticut, and entered private practice in New London. He later formed his own firm, Faulkner & Boyce, P.C., where he practiced for nearly 25 years before joining and retiring from Halloran & Sage LLP. Throughout his career, Tom was a consummate advocate, who delighted in tackling complicated cases and investing long hours of hard work for quick moments on his feet in the courtroom. He was nationally recognized as a master of his craft, trying nearly 100 cases to verdict, and a highly respected member of the trial bar, known by colleagues and judges alike for his calm professionalism, dedication to his clients and quick wit. He was honored as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and certified on the National Board of Trial Advocates. However, Tom would hope to be remembered for having practiced – and lived – according to a simple core principle; he strove to always be honest, believing that the truth gives one the peace to live with oneself and allows others to make the best decisions for themselves.

With all his professional accomplishments, Tom said that his most important work was raising his children. He was a constant support, ready to celebrate accomplishments, offer consolation, impart quiet wisdom and foster dreams. Tom faithfully attended his children's school events, meets and matches, his booming voice encouraging them onward. He also introduced them to the wider world, enjoying adventures from heli-hiking and river rafting to touring historical landmarks. As each child left home, he steadfastly ensured they knew that he was proud of them, and, in his later years, Tom passed along the skills learned from his own father by working alongside his children to paint, renovate and landscape their homes. He was happiest with his family sitting at the kitchen table laughing over well-told stories, gardening alongside his cherished wife, dabbling in woodworking, and eliciting wild giggles from his grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; and his sisters, Patsy (Boyce) Sullivan, Colleen Boyce and Kathleen Boyce. He is survived by Eileen, his wife of 48 years, and his three children, Sean Boyce (Katy Bartelma) of Washington, D.C., Christopher Boyce (Alexandra Brax) of Winthrop, Mass., and Maura Boyce (Oliver Schrang) of Portland, Ore.; as well as two grandchildren; his sister Rosemary Brecevich (Giovanni) of New York, N.Y.; his brother Timothy Boyce (Tara) of Tryon, N.C.; and a large, loving extended family.

A gathering of family, friends, and all who knew Tom will be held from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 3, at Langley's Restaurant, Great Neck Country Club, in Waterford. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Prevent Blindness or the Waterford Public Library in Tom's honor (via the Support the Library option).