Paul F. Joyce

1922 - 2015

WEST DENNIS - Paul F. Joyce, a well known superintendent of schools and educator in two states died on June 23, 2015 at the age of 92. He was the husband of the late Ann E. (O'Gara) Joyce. Born in Woonsocket, RI on August 20, 1922, he was the son of Alice (Joyce) Roberts. He is survived by his daughter, Nancy A. Joyce of West Dennis, MA and a son, Paul Joyce, and three grandchildren. Other survivors include sisters-in-law, Esther Gearon of Newport, RI and Mildred O'Gara of Narragansett, RI as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Dr. Joyce's career spanned 33 years in education, including service as a teacher, principal and superintendent of schools in two states. In 1965 he was selected to help plan and organize the town of North Smithfield's first high school, serving as it's first principal. Previous assignments had included principalships of both Kendall Dean and Halliwell Memorial Middle School in that town.
In the 1950's he organized the school system's first intramural and extramural sports programs. He also became the town's first president of Little League Baseball. Upon his retirement in 1983, the school committee named and dedicated the North Smithfield High School fields as the "Dr. Paul F. Joyce Athletic Fields".
An Army Veteran, he served 38 months in WWII, including Europe, the Rhineland Campaign and later in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was a retired Captain in the Army Reserves.
A well known musician and trombonist, in earlier years he had performed with various local and New England orchestras during the "Big Band Era". In later years, he played with the Harwich Town Band and the Moonlighters. He was also an avid tennis player, playing at Mid Cape Tennis Club.
Mr. Joyce earned his B. A. in English from Providence College, Master's Degree in Education from Boston University, Certificate of Advanced Graduate Specialty from University of Connecticut and a Doctorate in Education from Nova Southeastern in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Friends and relatives are invited to call at the Hallett Funeral Home, 273 Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA on Sunday, June 28, 2015 from 4-7 P.M. A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Monday, June 29, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. in Saint Pius X Church, Station Ave., South Yarmouth, MA. Burial in Oak Ridge Cemetery, Route 134, South Dennis, MA.
Contributions in his memory may be made to Mercy Home for Boys & Girls, 1140 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607, mercyhome.org.