January 10, 2022

Father James Joyce dies at 75; was longtime pastor in Pittsfield

REGIONAL

SPRINGFIELD – Father James K. Joyce, 75, died on Jan. 8 at Mt. Carmel Care Center in Lenox. He was a longtime pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Pittsfield.

The son of the late Paul J. Joyce and Rita Frawley, Father Joyce was a native of St. Joseph Parish in Pittsfield. He graduated from the former St. Joseph Central High School in 1964 and attended Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. He completed his priesthood training at Our Lady of the Angels Seminary in Albany, N.Y., and was ordained on April 22, 1972 at St. Joseph Church, Pittsfield.

He served as an assistant at the former Our Lady of Hope Parish, Springfield, from 1972-1978 and as administrator at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish, Cheshire; St. Francis Parish, Pittsfield; Sacred Heart, Pittsfield; and North American Martyrs Parish, Lanesboro between 1980 and 1982.

He was director of St. Joseph Central High School, Pittsfield, from 1978-1980.

His diocesan appointments included Presbyteral Council, Bishop’s Commission for the Clergy, Priests Committee for Pittsfield Catholic Schools, and Catholic School Board. He also served as chaplain for the former Catholic Youth Center in Pittsfield.

He served as pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Pittsfield from 1988-2012.

He retired on April 1, 2016.

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 15 at Sacred Heart Church, 196 Elm St., Pittsfield. The wake will be Friday, Jan. 14, from 4-7 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, Pittsfield.