Paul Marcel Joyal

Paul Marcel Joyal passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, May 17th, 2026, at St. Francis Hospice in Melbourne, Florida, one day after his 89th birthday. He was surrounded by loving family and friends on his birthday, and family were with him as he passed gently from this life to his much-deserved heavenly reward.

Paul was born May 16th, 1937, in Websterville, Vermont, the first of 5 surviving children born to the late Wilfred and Cecile (Dutil) Joyal, who had immigrated from Quebec, Canada. Paul married Donna Janet (Quesnel) Joyal on June 1st, 1963, and they raised three children together in Melbourne, Florida.

Paul loved God and family and had an amazing life full of laughter and joy. He was a devout and active member of and benefactor to Ascension Catholic Parish in Melbourne, Florida, since its founding in 1959. He loved to travel and he never met a stranger; his cheerful smile and ready conversation warmed any occasion, and he connected with nearly all who had the pleasure of meeting him, many of whom became lifelong friends who he called and visited regularly. He never missed a birthday or work anniversary, and he loved to sing “Happy Birthday” to each celebrant in his own special way.

Paul grew up on a Vermont dairy farm and learned the value of hard work and perseverance at an early age. He loved to play sports with his friends at St. Michael’s High School, especially basketball, believe it or not! Though he entered 1st grade knowing only Quebecois French, he was a good student (as he claimed anyway) and enjoyed learning about new subjects. He attended the University of Vermont before the family moved to Florida in 1957, when he transferred to the University of Florida. He became a proud “Gator” and enjoyed “Greek life” as a member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture in 1959, though he never wanted to be a farmer. He then joined Pan American Airlines, and after several years there, went to work for the Boeing Company. There, he rose to the position of Procurement Chief in support of the burgeoning space program at Cape Canaveral during the 1960s and early 1970s, especially the Apollo missions. In 1972, he completed his master’s degree in contract and procurement management at the Florida Institute of Technology.

As the Apollo program was winding down, Paul’s position at Boeing was being transferred to Seattle, but he decided to take a new direction. Though his father had been a builder in Melbourne, Paul was not known for his hands-on building trade skills like his father and brothers. However, he studied at night and earned his general contractor’s license, master plumber’s license, master electrician’s license, and other construction trade certifications and licenses. In 1974, he formed a construction company with his two brothers Robert “Bob” Joyal and Daniel “Danny” Joyal. Today, Joyal Homes remains a leading custom home builder in Brevard County, still a family company serving families, after more than 50 years. Paul loved his work almost as much as his own family, likely as it was an extension of his family. He possessed, and fostered in others around him, a sincere commitment to quality, integrity, and customer satisfaction that earned himself and Joyal Homes countless accolades and awards for innovation, design excellence, and industry and community impact including: Florida Home Builder of the Year, Brevard Home Builder of the Year, and countless Parade of Homes awards over the years. In 2004, Paul was inducted into the Florida Home Builders’ Hall of Fame, a rare and distinctive honor recognizing both his successes with Joyal Homes and his steadfast commitment to and support of the Florida home building industry. He was the top “Spike” recruiter for the Brevard Home Builders and Contractors Association (HBCA) and formerly served as its President. He also served as a director of both the Florida and the National Home Builders’ Associations. Paul’s professional career was culminated by his inaugural induction into the Space Coast Home Builders and Contractors Association Hall of Fame in 2021.

Paul’s beloved wife Donna (Quesnel) Joyal preceded him in death in 2023, and he is survived by his children, David Joyal (wife Donna Joyal), Susette Joyal Stewart, and Cherie Joyal Reiter (husband Bryan Reiter). He is also survived by five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and by his dear siblings Anita (Joyal) Smith, Pauline (Joyal) Miller (husband Darrell Miller), Danny Joyal (wife Louise Joyal), and his sister-in-law, Sara Joyal. His brother, Bob Joyal, predeceased him in 2003.

Funeral service arrangements have been entrusted to Florida Memorial Gardens Funeral Home and services will be held at Ascension Catholic Church on Tuesday May 26th, visitation to start at 12:15pm with a funeral mass to follow at 1:00pm . Family and friends may sign the online guest book at www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/rockledge-fl/paul-joyal-12891884.