September 18, 2022

UPDATED: Msgr. David J. Joyce dies at 79

REGIONAL
Staff report

(iObserve submitted photo)

HOLYOKE – Msgr. David J. Joyce, Jr., 79, passed away Friday, Sept. 16 at the Holyoke Medical Center after a long illness.

Msgr. Joyce was born in Holyoke on Nov. 18, 1942 to David and Gertrude (Dowd) Joyce. After graduation from Holyoke High School, he did his undergraduate studies at Boston College and completed his seminary training at the American College, University of Louvain, Leuven Belgium.

Ordained at St. Michael’s Cathedral Springfield on June 29, 1968, his first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Mary Westfield, during which time he was the Newman chaplain at Westfield State College. In 1978 he was named director of the Spanish Apostolate in Holyoke, and in 1981 he also was named the pastor of the former Sacred Heart Parish in Holyoke. In 1987 he was named pastor of Sacred Heart Parish in Feeding Hills, and in 1992 was appointed pastor of the former Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield.

In addition to his parish assignments, Msgr. Joyce served on numerous diocesan committees including the Commission for Ecumenism, the Building Commission, Clergy Commission, Priests’ Senate, and the Presbyteral Council. He also served as vocations director, co-vicar for clergy, consultor and dean of both the Greater Holyoke Deanery and the Hampden East Deanery. He also served as chaplain of the diocese’s Cursillo Movement.

In 2006 he was named Chaplain of Honor to His Holiness, assuming the title of Monsignor.

The Ancient Order of Hibernians James A. Curran Division One and the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians of Hampden/Hampshire Counties honored Msgr. Joyce with the 2015 Christian Charity Award; and in 2019 he was named Springfield’s St. Patrick Parade Marshall.  

He retired on Dec. 31, 2016.

Msgr. Joyce is survived by his sister, Sheila (Joyce) Peabody of Yarmouth, Maine; and his brother, Marc E. Joyce, and sister-in-law Cindy of Holyoke.

He leaves his three nieces, Katie Joyce and husband Martin Walsh of Natick; Stephanie Joyce of Holyoke; and Elizabeth Porter and husband Douglas Porter of Yarmouth, Maine. He leaves his great-nieces, Grace and Gabrielle Walsh of Natick, Mass.; and Nell and Kathleen Porter of Yarmouth, Maine; and a great-nephew Rowan Walsh of Natick.

He also leaves several cousins and relatives.

All funeral services will take place at St. Jerome Church, Hampden Street, Holyoke. The wake will be held Wednesday, Sept. 21 from 2 to 6 p.m., with a vigil service at 7 p.m. Springfield Bishop William D. Byrne will celebrate Msgr. Joyce’s funeral Mass, Thursday, Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.