Robert Paul Joyce, veteran, family man
Robert "Bob” Paul Joyce, 84, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023, at Harrison Senior Living in Georgetown. He was born May 16, 1938, in Woodbury, N.J., son of the late Paul Joyce and Dorothy Theresa (Hart) Kane.
Bob grew up in Woodbury, N.J., graduating from Audubon High School Class of 1955. Following graduation, he attended Bucknell University for one year. He was a proud veteran, having honorably served in the New Jersey National Guard between Aug. 3, 1960, and July 31, 1966. Bob worked at different places following his service to the country. As a communications consultant, he worked for several phone companies and was responsible for recommending and selling phone systems to companies. Bob held several job positions afterward. He was a proud member of the Camden County, N.J. Jaycees and served as a national director from 1968-69. Bob was also awarded the JCI Senatorship Award No. 9692 in May 1968.
After his retirement, he stayed active and always enjoyed painting, and would often paint for friends. Bob was also a good friend of Bill W. and was extremely proud of all the years he worked on maintaining that. He married Mary Jo O'Connell Joyce, the love of his life, March 18, 2000, in Wilmington. One of his favorite pastimes was fishing, and he could often be found fishing at a Delaware beach and sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. Bob also enjoyed doing crossword puzzles, and he was so good at them, that he used to do the New York Times ones in ink. Most of all, he was a family man. Bob was a loving and devoted husband, son, and friend. Loved by many, he will be forever missed by all who had the good fortune to know him.
Bob is survived by his beloved wife of 23 years, Mary Jo O'Connell Joyce of Rehoboth Beach.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 2, at St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, where friends may visit beginning at 10 a.m. Burial will be private.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Parsell Funeral Homes and Crematorium, Atkins-Lodge Chapel, Lewes.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Bob's memory to Delaware Hospice, 100 Patriots Way, Milford, DE 19963; or St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church, 152 Tulip Drive, Lewes, DE 19958.
Visit Bob’s Life Memorial webpage and sign his virtual guestbook at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
