Rev. Monsignor David J. Joyce, Jr.

Monsignor David J. Joyce, Jr., 79, passed away in the presence of his loving family on Friday, September 16, 2022 at The Holyoke Medical Center in Holyoke.

At the time of his death, Monsignor Joyce was in his 55th year as a priest, a calling to which he was called as a young man growing up in his beloved hometown of Holyoke.  He was a much-loved and respected member of the clergy of the Diocese of Springfield, serving the people of Western Massachusetts in the following Parishes:  St. Mary’s and St. Casimir’s in Westfield; Sacred Heart, his Home Parish, in Holyoke; Sacred Heart and St. John’s in Agawam; and St. Michael’s Cathedral, Our Lady of Hope, Holy Name, and Sacred Heart in Springfield.

Monsignor Joyce served the Diocese of Springfield with distinction in a significant number of areas, some of which were as Director of the Spanish Apostolate, Chaplain at Westfield State College and Springfield Technical Community College, Director of Vocations, and as Chaplain of the Diocese’s Cursillo Movement.  He also served in a number of appointed and elected positions within the Diocese until his retirement on December 31, 2016.

He was proud and excited to have served as the Springfield Marshal for the 2019 Holyoke St. Patrick’s Parade, and was very appreciative of the awards he received from both the Springfield Parade Committee and the Ancient Order of Hibernians of Hampden and Hampshire County.

Monsignor Joyce was a proud 1960 graduate of Holyoke High School, where he served as Senior Class President and enjoyed planning and coordinating numerous Class Reunions with his classmates.  A 1964 graduate of Boston College, he entered the American College, University of Louvain, Belgium for his seminary studies, and was ordained to the priesthood on June 29, 1968 at St. Michael’s Cathedral in Springfield.

Preceded in death by his beloved parents, David J. Joyce, Sr. and Gertrude H. (Dowd) Joyce, Monsignor leaves behind his sister Sheila (Joyce) Peabody of Yarmouth, Maine; his brother and sister-in-law Marc E. Joyce and Cindy (Cameron) Joyce of Holyoke; his 3 nieces, Katie Joyce and her husband Martin Walsh of Natick, Stephanie Joyce of Holyoke, and Liz Porter and her husband Doug of Yarmouth, Maine. He is also survived by his beloved great-nieces Grace and Gabrielle Walsh of Natick, and Nell and Kathleen Porter of Yarmouth, Maine, and by his beloved great-nephew Rowan Walsh of Natick.  Monsignor Joyce also leaves many cousins and friends too numerous to mention, including his many cousins in Ireland.

Monsignor Joyce’s family would like to express our sincere thanks to all of Monsignor’s caregivers who gave so selflessly of their time to assist him in any way possible during the past couple of years, especially to the professional staff at The Holyoke Medical Center and The Marian Center in Holyoke, where Monsignor Joyce was residing these past five months. Ms. Sue Wehner, Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Diocese of Springfield, was extraordinary in her support and assistance to Monsignor and our family over the past few years.

A Con-Celebrated Mass of Christian Burial for Msgr. Joyce will be held Thursday, September 22nd at 10:00 a.m. at Saint Jerome Church, 169 Hampden Street, Holyoke. Most Reverend William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield, will be the Principal Celebrant. Burial will follow at Saint Jerome Cemetery, 1666 Northampton Street, Holyoke. Calling hours will be held at Saint Jerome Church on Wednesday, September 21st from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. followed by a Vigil prayer service at 7:00 p.m.

PLEASE OMIT ALL FLOWERS.  Instead, please consider a donation to: Jericho, PO Box 1039, Holyoke, MA 01041-1039; The Marian Center, 1365 Northampton Street, Holyoke, MA 01040; or The Sisters of St. Joseph of Springfield, 577 Carew Street, Springfield, MA  01104.

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Rev. Monsignor David J. Joyce, Jr., please visit our Tree Store.