Mike Joyce was first proud of being Irish as a 1st generation American. He was proud of his wife, his parents, Michael F., and Beatrice (Brigid), and his children; and he would tell you that every day. He was a company man, spending 38 years as an executive with Ford Motor Company. He loved Ford and was so proud to be part of Ford that he expected EVERY friend and relative to only purchase and drive Fords. He was proud of being a Jesuit university graduate. The Jesuits helped his father during the Irish War of Independence and when his parents immigrated to the States. The University of Detroit Jesuits were an integral part of making Mike the man he was.
Mike championed the underdog- from football to religion to politics. If you were an underdog, he liked you. He hated phonies and surrounded himself with people who were genuine. He knew the origin of everything. Jeopardy was a breeze for Mike. Voted Best Dressed in HS, he remained a sharp dresser his entire life. He was detail-oriented and organized to the hilt, the label maker was his best friend. He loved language so much he created his own. Do YOU know what a Kakamoolie is? (Ask Pat)
As a prized amateur photographer, he won many awards behind the lens, including a National Kodak award. In a broad sense he had an artist's eye- with recognition and appreciation for beauty which he recognized even in the mundane. He saw the beauty and humanity in all people and all of God’s creation.
He was a dog’s best friend, any dog. Music was essential - every kind, from modern jazz to opera to folk music, it soothed his soul. Any random Saturday you could find him listening to opera in the garage “working on projects.”
Mike leaves behind his beautiful wife of 62 years, Pat. His four daughters ALL NAMED MARY (Kathleen DeBuys, Colleen Joyce, Sheilah Davidson, and Bridget Bassett). 4 bonus sons, 9 grandchildren, 3 great-grandchildren and 5 grand dogs.
A FUNERAL MASS will be held on January 2, 2025, at 10:00 am, St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs.
In lieu of flowers Mike would have loved for you to spread kindness to someone unsuspecting or donate to El Refugio https://elrefugiostewart.org/en/donate
