Hockey was not just a game or sport for Rene Joyal; it was truly his life’s passion. He took to the ice as a player and later as a referee to further support the sport he so deeply cared about. Rene gave countless hours of his time to help other young people come to develop and cherish their skills and sportsmanship on the ice. Rene’s life story is written upon the ice he skated, the rinks he played and refereed upon and in the spirit of all those who loved hockey as he did.
Rene J. Joyal, 90, of Woonsocket died peacefully Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at The Friendly Home. He was the loving husband of Jocelyn L. (Beaulieu) Joyal. Rene and Jocelyn were married on September 3, 1960 at Precious Blood Church.
Born and raised in Woonsocket he was a son of the late Orphir and Celina (Rivard) Joyal. He was a lifelong resident of the city and a graduate of Mount Saint Charles Academy with the class of 1953. During his years at Mount, he played under the coaching of the legendary Brother Adelard, sc, the founder of the Mounty hockey program.
Mr. Joyal was a veteran of the United States Army serving during the mid-1950s and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
In his early years he was employed at Owens-Corning Fiberglass Corp. Rene was then employed by the City of Woonsocket Water Department for over 25 years before retiring in 2004.
Rene would go on to become a hockey referee starting an illustrious career in 1971 and serve for over 30 years with the peewee and interscholastic leagues. He was a longtime member of the Rhode Island hockey officials organization. Rene was known far and wide as one of the premier hockey referees throughout Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut regions. Off the ice Rene enjoyed bowling.
Rene will be remembered as a devoted husband and father.
In addition to his wife of nearly 64 years, Rene is survived by his son, Marc Joyal of Woonsocket, and daughter, Michelle Joyal of Providence. He was the brother of Marcel Joyal of Woonsocket and the late Leo, Jean-Marie, Maurice, and Joseph Joyal, Marie-Jeanne Joyal, Rachel Simoneau, Evangeline Dugas, Therese St. Pierre and Sr. Pauline Joyal, RJM. Rene is also survived by many nieces and nephews and their families.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, August 9, 2024, at 10:00 am in Precious Blood Church, Carrington Ave. Woonsocket. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to American Parkinson’s Disease Association, Rhode Island Chapter, P.O. Box 114098 North Providence, RI 02911; www.apdaparkinson.org or the Mount Saint Charles Alumni Association, 800 Logee Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895.
Arrangements are in care of the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Avenue, Woonsocket RI 02895; www.menardfuneralhome.com