Robert Joyce, Sr., 93, of Avoca passed away on July 8th following an age-related illness. His wife of more than 61 years, Eleanor (Burns) Joyce, died on January 30, 2018.
Born in Scranton, PA he was the beloved son of the late James and Helen (Walsh) Joyce. Bob was a graduate of Minooka High School, where he served as President of his Freshman and Senior Classes. He earned his Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Scranton and his Master’s in Education from Temple University. Bob served his country honorably in the United States Navy during World War II and the Korean Conflict. He was a Naval Reservist during his college years and a Victory Medal recipient.
Bob was employed for thirty-three years as a teacher by the Scranton School District assigned to West Scranton High School and early in his career taught evening classes at Scranton Technical High School. Additionally, he spent nine years assisting his wife Eleanor run her family’s business and later served as her caregiver for twenty-two years. Bob was an Avoca representative on the Board of Directors of the Taylor Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and a prior member of the Scranton and American Federations of Teachers and the Greater Pittston Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick. He was a devoted
member of Saint Mary’s Church, Avoca, now Queen
of the Apostles Parish having previously served on its Social Concerns Committee.
He enjoyed family gatherings and vacations on Long Beach Island, NJ and in Ocean City, MD. With his wife Eleanor they traveled extensively in Canada, Mexico, Ireland, England, France, Austria, Switzerland and Germany. An avid sports fan, he followed Philadelphia’s Professional Teams, Notre Dame and Penn State.
A loving and caring son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle and great uncle, he is survived by his only child and caregiver Robert Joyce, Jr. and daughter-in-law Noreen Nixon Joyce, two grandchildren, Robert J. Joyce, and Bridgeen Joyce all of Avoca, a sister-in-law Alyce Joyce, Florida and several nieces and nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, his brothers and sisters-in-law Eugene (Ann), John (Mary Grace) and Joseph Joyce, a brother-in-law Joseph Burns, Sr. (Rita) and a sister-in-law Mary Manley (Lawrence).
Bob was assisted in his later years by his family and many wonderful people including Rev. Phillip Sladicka, Dr. James Sheerer and the staff at Commonwealth Health, kind neighbors Helene, Kimberly, and dear family friends Maureen, Stan and his nephew Joe Burns.
The funeral and all arrangements will be private on Saturday, July 11th from Kiesinger Funeral Services, Inc., Duryea with a Mass of Christian Burial at Queen of the Apostles Parish, (Saint Mary’s Church), 715 Hawthorne Street, Avoca. Internment will be in Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Avoca. A celebration of Bob’s life will be held at a future date.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, Queen of the Apostles Parish, Avoca, PA or the charity of the donor’s choice.