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In memory of

Anthony Walter Joyce, Jr.

Dunwoody, GA

March 28, 1938 - December 23, 2019

Mar 28, 1938 - Dec 23, 2019

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Knights of Columbus Council 11402 at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mt Vernon Road, Dunwoody, Ga 30338.

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Anthony Walter “Tony” Joyce Jr. was born in Montclair, NJ on March 28th, 1938 and left this world on December 23, 2019. He leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Carol Watson Joyce, and three of their children and their spouses: Marycarol Stout (Carter), Michael (Erin) and Patrick (Kathy) and their six grandchildren: Carolann and Anthony Stout, Devin and Ian Joyce, and Johnny and Angelina Joyce. He is predeceased by his parents, Helen Walsh and Anthony Joyce, Sr, sister Mary Joyce, and son Anthony Joyce III.

Tony was educated at Delbarton School in Morristown, NJ where he played football and baseball. He graduated in 1960 from St Anselm’s College in Manchester, NH with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business. He enlisted in the Army Reserves in 1956 and was Honorably Discharged in 1962. He was assigned to the 322nd General Hospital and did yearly training at Camp Drum, NY, where he earned the Soldier of the Year Award in 1962. He worked for many years in Sales at Hudson Pulp and Paper, which was later bought out by Georgia Pacific. After retiring as Sales Manager, Tony pursued his hobbies of wreath making and wooden chest building, but after his wife had heart problems he began volunteering in the ARU Unit at St Joseph’s Hospital out of gratitude for their excellent care. He later added driving the parking garage shuttle to his volunteer responsibilities until just this year when illness made it impossible to continue.

While in college, Tony met the love of his life. He often told his kids that it was love-at-first-sight when he met her through one of his friends. Tony told his friend that he needed to stop dating her because he was going to marry “Blondie”, and he asked her on their first date. They were together until his graduation and were married the following spring. Children came soon after and, although his job regularly took him on the road from Sundays through Thursdays, he was a dedicated father and put in many volunteer hours with the church Children’s Choir, the Cub and Boy Scouts (as Pack and Troop Leader for both) and chaperone for Youth Group retreats. When his company transferred him to Atlanta (where his daughter was already attending Emory University) he and Carol settled in Dunwoody, where they have lived since. They have been parishioners of All Saints Catholic Church since ‘81. Tony joined the Knights of Columbus in college, and was a Fourth Degree Knight when he joined Council 11402 at All Saints. He has served as an usher and as a Eucharistic Minister. They were also parents of a Marist alumnus (Mike ’83) and St Pius X alumnus (Pat ’87).

Tony was an enthusiastic Auburn football fan and he and Carol went to as many games as they could while sons Mike and Pat were attending and then after they graduated. Their tailgate parties were amazing and Carol often fed many of the members of Patrick’s fraternity, Theta Xi in addition to family and friends. Dad was so well admired by the brothers that he was initiated as a Theta Xi Alumnus in the Beta Zeta Chapter.

When his children married and had families of their own, Tony embraced his role as “Boompa” with the same enthusiasm. He was so incredibly proud of all of his grandchildren and the people they are becoming. He was often seen picking up his Atlanta grandchildren from school and teaching them to drive when they turned 15. He and Carol attended as many of Carolann’s Scottish Highland Dance competitions they could and never missed one of her school plays, concerts, and musicals. This year was a special milestone as the last of the four grandsons earned his Eagle Award and Tony proudly displayed the “I Am Proud of My Eagle Scouts” magnet on the back of his pick up truck. He was not only proud of them, but also put in time at most of their Eagle projects, the latest at grandson Ian’s Gaga Ball pit at his church. Tony put in many hours working at the Knights “Famous Fish Fry” (he was the one in the kitchen or greeting those waiting on line, often sporting a light-up St Patrick’s Day hat) and was thrilled that one of his grandsons was able to work with him in the kitchen and dedicate his Eagle project to benefiting this important fundraiser. He was Confirmation Sponsor for Devin, Anthony and Ian. He attended every football game (and many of the practices) when grandson Anthony joined the St Pius X Golden Lions Football Team. When in the hospital, Tony told everyone about his grandson Johnny who is in Nursing School at the University of Southern Mississippi. He had a very special relationship with youngest granddaughter Angie, who was always his “Angel”.

Tony or “Boompa” will be dearly missed by family and friends, particularly during the holiday season. He was known to dress up in full Santa gear and bring Christmas cheer to local preschools and the halls of St Joseph’s Hospital. He had a way of making even the shyest child feel comfortable on Santa’s knee. It is almost fitting that he went “home” to Heaven to be with Jesus so near His Birthday and to share in the Joy of the Season.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Knights of Columbus Council 11402 at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mt Vernon Road, Dunwoody, Ga 30338

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In lieu of flowers, consider a gift to Knights of Columbus Council 11402 at All Saints Catholic Church, 2443 Mt Vernon Road, Dunwoody, Ga 30338.

Learn more & give