David Joyce, Sr

CRANSTON -- Joyce, David Sr., 87, formerly of Furlong Street, whose life was defined by his devotion to faith, family, friends, and service, died peacefully on Friday, April 20, in the loving presence of family and staff members at St. Joseph Living Center in Providence. David was the consummate husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He approached each day with purpose and appreciation, and he was a model of virtue, dignity, and love to all who knew him. A member of the secular Third Order of St. Francis for nearly 50 years, David lived with a devout acceptance of the Lord's will and always with a feeling of hope, of greater things to come. Among his many gifts, David was revered most for his warmth and wisdom. He believed in sharing all that he had and was respected for his counsel. He embodied simplicity and goodness. Blessed as well with Irish humor, he frequently said, "If you made at least one person laugh or smile, it's been a good day." Born on August 17, 1919, in Providence, David resided in the city until moving to Cranston in 1992. The son of the late Charles E. Joyce Sr. and Mary (Silva) Joyce, he was the husband of the late Mary A. (Costello) Joyce, to whom he was married 52 years. David graduated in 1938 from Hope High School in Providence, where he served as class president his junior and senior years. He was a member of the Class of 1942D at Providence College, where he earned a bachelor's degree in philosophy. He was a U.S. Naval Reserve veteran. David was a national and local leader in the field of housing (relocation) and community service. His career in housing spanned 37 years. Most notable were his service as executive director-administrator of the Family Relocation Service of the City of Providence from 1949-67; his service as executive director and secretary-treasurer of the Providence Housing Authority from 1970-78; and his service as a residential housing specialist and administrator with the Rhode Island Department of Mental Health, Retardation and Hospitals from 1979-86, when he helped find group homes for the mentally challenged. Among other professional highlights, David was the director of a demonstration study, "Impact of Relocation on Elderly Persons," sponsored by the Ford Foundation in cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), from 1963-65, and he served as a consultant to the University of Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Studies from 1965-67. He was the co-author of The Social Functioning of Dislodged Elderly (Graphing Printing Associates, Philadelphia, Pa., 1967). David served or was a member of more than two dozen civic and private committees, organizations, and associations during his lifetime. These included NAHRO, the American Red Cross, the National Council on Aging, and the Providence College Alumni Association. He was a co-founder/organizer of the State of Rhode Island's Friendly Visitor Program, a visitation program for the sick and shut-ins. Recognized in Who's Who in the East, David received numerous other honors and commendations for his professional service or personal commitment to causes close to his heart. Among these, in 1992 he was awarded the Dr. William P. McDonnell Award for service to Providence College by the PC Alumni Association's Mal Brown Club and, in 1977, the Board of Commissioners of the Providence Housing Authority established in his honor the "David Joyce Annual Outstanding Service Award," to be given to exemplary authority employees. He is survived by seven children, David Joyce Jr. of Cranston; Michael K. Joyce of Cranston; Paul B. Joyce of Cumberland, Kevin W. Joyce of El Paso, Texas; Anne K. Joyce-Whitman of Cranston; Charles C. Joyce of Seekonk, MA and Mary E. Joyce-Marcello of Mechanicsville, Va. He also is survived by 12 grandchildren. He was the brother of the late Mary K. Joyce and the late Charles E. Joyce Jr. The funeral will be held on Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. from the Russell J. Boyle & Son Funeral Home, 331 Smith St., Providence. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. in St. Sebastian Church, 67 Cole Ave., Providence. Burial will be in St. Ann Cemetery, Cranston. Calling hours Monday 4:00-8:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in care of St. Joseph Living Center, 153 Dean St., Providence, RI, 02903, in his memory would be appreciated.