Mr. Kenneth W. Joyce Sr., a longtime resident of Woburn formerly of Burlington and Winchester passed away November 16th following a short illness at the age of 87. He was the beloved husband of the late Geraldine T. (Green). Born in Winchester he was one of twelve children of the late George and Johanna (Smitherman) Joyce.
Mr. Joyce was raised and educated in Winchester. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1942 and honorably served until 1946. During his time in the Navy he served on the USS PC 552 which was a patrol cruising ship and anti submarine ship. He participated in the first wave of the invasion of Normandy.
Mr. Joyce retired in 1985 after working for more than 25 years as a letter carrier in Burlington with the U.S. Postal Service. In his leisure time he enjoyed traveling to Foxwoods Casino and playing Keno at the Convenient 38 Store in North Woburn. His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. He always enjoyed visits with them and always had lollipops ready to hand out.
Along with his beloved wife, Mr. Joyce is predeceased by his son, Kenneth W. Joyce Jr. and his sisters and brothers, the late Muriel "Tootsie" Reagan, Lillian Haverty, George, Lawrence, Samuel, Thomas, Edward, James, Roger, Robert and William Joyce. He is survived by his daughter, Cheryl Jarvis and her fiancé Richard Santiano of Woburn, and son Brian E. Joyce also of Woburn. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Jeffrey and Michael Joyce, Denise Jarvis-Leigh, Kristen and Stephen Jarvis, Brian Joyce Jr. and Kevin Joyce. He is further survived by eleven loving great grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held from the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home, 60 Pleasant St., Woburn, Saturday, November 20th, at 9 a.m. followed by a funeral mass celebrated in St. Anthony Church, 851 Main St., Woburn, at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend. Visiting hours at the McLaughlin - Dello Russo Funeral Home will be held on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. Services will conclude with military honors and burial in Woodbrook Cemetery, Woburn. For directions of to leave a message of condolence please visit www.dellorusso.net
In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial donations may be sent to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701