James V. Joyce
May 29, 1927 – February 24, 2014
A self-made man and doting father . . .
Visitation:
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Friday, February 28, 2014
James V. Joyce Residence
Funeral Service:
Saturday, February 28, 2014
Blessed Sacrament Church
Interment:
Military Honors
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
James Vincent Joyce, born May 29, 1927, of 839 State Route 417, Andover, NY, passed away peacefully at his home on Monday, Feb. 24, 2014.
Mr. Joyce was born in the town of Willing, N.Y; the eldest of six children born to the late Vincent James Joyce and Alice Graves Joyce. He grew up on the family farm in Andover and, having left high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving in Germany with the Occupation Forces. Showing an early entrepreneurial spirit, he was put in charge of a number of PX stores which soon began to show a profit. He made the acquaintance of a young German woman, Helma Petermann, who was working as a translator. They were married in 1948 in Garmisch Partenkirchen, Germany shortly before his return to the United States.
Upon his return, he and his brother, Charles, formed a gas and oil pipeline, Joyce Pipeline. In many ways Mr. Joyce embodied the perfect example of the post war American dream. A truly self-made man, he learned to fly both airplanes and helicopters, using them to survey his expanding pipeline business which would eventually extend from Canada, through the United States, and include Central America and Venezuela. The Alaskan pipeline, in which the pipeline company played a large part in constructing, was a highlight of his career. He even traveled to Iran before the fall of the Shah to investigate pipeline construction there but, fortunately, decided against it. He and his wife visited Cuba several times before the rise of the Castro regime and made frequent trips to Mexico. He subsequently developed a love of all things “Latino”, especially the food and music. He even arranged to bring his favorite Mariachi Band from Laredo, Texas to perform at his youngest daughter’s wedding.
In the pursuit of his many interests in the energy sector he invested in coal mining in West Virginia and Kentucky and was an early proponent of replacing Uranium in nuclear reactors with the more efficient rare earth, Thorium; a trend that continues to this day. A lifelong republican, he was never the less, invited to attend both the Kennedy and Nixon inaugural balls.
Starting in 1948 using a Fordson Tractor with a Backhoe attachment, Joyce started his career as a pipeline Contractor. Along with maintaining his local milk hauling route in the Andover area, Joyce started laying small pipelines for local oil producers and gas companies. As the pipeline business progressed Joyce took on more work and with the help of his brothers Charles and later Don, Joyce Pipeline employed over 200 people by the late fifty’s. Joyce utilized local people from the Andover area to provide the dedication and hard work to progress as a company. By the late 60’s Joyce Western had grown to over 1200 fulltime and seasonal employees, expanding into a multi-operation. Never forgetting his home town roots, Joyce was influential in providing the supports for progress in Allegany County, NY. He was instrumental in building the Andover Little League complex and the relocation of the Wellsville Airport to where it is now. Joyce was a self-taught airplane and helicopter pilot of which he always had a helicopter setting in his front lawn, ready to go as needed. Joyce spent hours in the air traveling from job to job in his airplane. As Joyce Western expanded, he started building and operating pipelines throughout the Unites States and performed contracting help in Alaska and Australia.
Some of his proud accomplishments were building and operating a fuel pipeline from Tampa to Orlando, Fla.; building and operating a pipeline for SAC Headquarters in Omaha Nebr., a pipeline to bring jet fuel into Mac Dill Air Force Base in New Jersey, another to provide fuel for the Tampa International Airport, followed by a distribution of Anhydrous Ammonia from Port Tampa to the Phosphate Mines in the middle of the state. Joyce’s forward vision of the future energy needs had him mining Thorium in the Idaho mountains. Other major pipeline projects included welding on the Mooba Pipeline in Sydney, Australia; many projects for Consolidated Gas in NY, PA and WV; including a 55 mile segment of 30” pipe in Chambersburg, PA.; over 120 miles of pipe keyed in the Western NY and Northern PA area for Tennessee Gas; building a gas gathering system for Coors Brewers in Golden, Colo.; installing 36” pipe in Red Rivers Crossings in Texas and Oklahoma; gas gathering work for Phillips Petroleum of Bartlesville OK, and numerous projects over the years in the New England area for Algonquin Gas.
Throughout the remainder of his long life, Joyce remained interested in all things having to do with energy production. He was, however, a doting father, grandfather and great grandfather, enjoying every moment in the company of his growing family. Though Helma passed away in 2002, he remained in the home they built together in 1959. During his declining health he was carefully attended to by his caregiver, Betty Matison and dedicated helpers, family and friends.
In addition to his wife, Helma, he was predeceased by his siblings Charles Joyce, W. Donald Joyce, Joan Dibble and Sandra Howland. He is survived by his sister, Mary Ann Davis of Andover; children, Kathleen Joyce (George) Biondo, of Montauk, N.Y., Vincent James (Deborah) Joyce and Christine (Michael J. McCormick) Joyce, both of Andover; grandchildren, Caitlin Biondo (Josh) Greene of Mill Valley, Calif., Georgia Biondo (Thomas) Flight of Montauk, N.Y., James Vincent (Jennifer) Joyce of Andover, Amanda Joyce (Robert) Phelps of Andover, Lindsay Joyce Barnard of Andover, Maria McCormick (Jonathan) Sorrells of Cumming, Ga., and Michael (Mary Beth) McCormick of Angola, N.Y.; great grandchildren, Scarlett, Beatrice and Harry Flight of Montauk, N.Y., Elsa and Connor Greene of Mill Valley, Calif., Vincent and Harper Joyce of Andover, Leigha and Julianna Phelps of Andover, Elle Barnard of Andover, and Jase Sorrells of Cumming, Ga.
Visiting hours will be at the home of James V. Joyce, 839 State Route 417 in Andover from, 7-9 pm Thursday and 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm Friday. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Blessed Sacrament Church in Andover on Saturday at 11 a.m. with Rev. Thomas Roman as celebrant. Burial with full military honors will follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Andover Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 726 Andover N.Y, or the Andover Main Street Project, P.O. Box 736, Andover N.Y.
Arrangements are under the direction of Baker-Swan Funeral Home in Andover.
I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Greg. Working with him at Scio Central School was a true joy. He brought a lightheartedness to everyone he met and although he maintained the highest level of professionalism, he was down to earth, fun, and welcoming to everyone, especially the student body. You could see the passion for teaching and leadership in everything he did. Many prayers will be going up for Carlene and family as they navigate through this difficult time.
I am so sorry to hear this. Sending prayers for peace and comfort to Gavin and the Hardy family.
I am very , very sorry to hear this. Pleasure to work with at GV and I enjoyed following him with his craftmanship page– very talented. Prayers to the family during this most difficult time.
John and I loved this wonderful, talented and kind man. He was so funny! So many great times at Locustbrae with friends and family. He was truly blessed, and we will miss him dearly.
I was one of the lucky students who had him for a teacher multiple times in elementary and high school. He was my absolute favorite and I’m so sorry for your loss. I think you would be hard pressed to find any teacher more loved than him. My thoughts are with you.
I am so sorry to hear of Greg’s passing. I was shocked. My heart goes out to all of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. He was such a good and fun person. I will treasure the times that I spent with him.
So sorry to learn of his passing – he was a wonderful teacher and a very pleasant person. I’m sure he will be watching over his family and friends
Carlene and family: So very, very sorry to hear this news! And shocked! We enjoyed the times we spent with you & your family. Please know you will all remain in our prayers and we’ve no doubt Greg will rest in eternal peace! He lived his life t9 the very fullest! God bless!!
I am very sorry for your sudden loss
He was a one of a kind character and I know he will be greatly missed by his whole family. Pen shows will be different without a chat at his table!
I’m so sorry for your loss, and for all of our loss! Greg was such a wonderful person, and I always enjoyed chatting with him at pen shows! I miss him terribly, and if there’s anything I can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out!
Dear Carlene and Family,
I am so sorry to hear to Greg’s passing. I have nothing but fond memories of our time together, both in school, and at “the store.” May his name be eternal, and always a blessing to you and yours, and may the love of friends and family surround you and help to bring you comfort. Wishing you all peace at the is very difficult time.
It was my honor to have known and worked with Greg. He will be missed! His legacy lives on in those family and friends he loved and who love him. Carry that legacy with a smile… as he would wish. My sincerest condolences. Much love and continued prayers to Carlene and the family!
My condolences to the family of a great teacher.
Saddened by this news. May the four winds find you safely home, Mr. Hardy.
Condolences to the family. So sorry for your loss.
I am so terribly sorry for your loss. Greg was a friend and mentor to me in the pen community. I will always remember Greg for his kindness.
Carlene, Dan, Gavin and James,
Gail and Bob,
Mary Beth and I send our love and condolences.
We are simply shocked at the news of Greg’s death.
We are praying for you.
Although the later years found us on separate paths, Greg and of you have never left our hearts.
Mike Trenchard, music teacher Andover Central School 1979-1981 and friend for life.
We are deeply saddened and heart broken by the passing of Mr. Hardy. He was one of the best most proficient teachers to ever lead a classroom and just a great all around human being, role model and mentor who left his mark on so many of us. He will forever be missed and remembered! Our deepest condolences, thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends, May God comfort!
Carlene, Gavin, James, Dan, and Gail and Bob,
I am so sorry for this sudden loss. Greg was such an amazing talent at all he did – music, art, pen-making, teaching and leading, not to mention raising three fine sons with you, Carlene. Yesterday I picked up the fountain pen he helped me select as a retirement gift from my sister, and I once more went back to the website and marveled at his masterpieces. Just amazing! Whether sharing in a dram and some music at a ceilidh, decked out in his kilt, or sharing stories, as he did when I picked out my pen, at the beautiful dining room table, Greg had a great sense of humor and delighted in a good sparring conversation. He will be geatly missed. May his presence and your memories of him forever shine in your hearts, and may God wrap his loving arms around him.
Mr Hardy will always be remembered as one of the greatest teachers I had even after I finished his class. Even when he thought he would get out of teaching my younger siblings we followed him to Rushford for him to be their principal.
It’s indeed a great loss to the family and friends. Pray God to give courage to the family to overcome this grief and also pray for his soul’s journey.
Sadgati praptirastu( In Indian way praying for the soul )
It was a pleasure knowing Greg during his student days at Alfred State College. He was a fine student, a good conversationalist, and a gentleman of many interests.
It is gratifying that Greg had such a sterling academic career both as teacher and school administrator. His influence and guidance enriched the lives and futures of many students.
My thoughts are with Greg’s family and many friends during this difficult time. He will be missed.
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Greg. We went to Sunday school together as well as all through Andover Central. Greg would always get Mr. Tuthill our Sunday school teacher talking about his WWII service. Greg had an act for getting people to open up about themselves. I hope many fond memories help you through this tough times.