John Edward Joyce

John Edward Joyce, age 84, of Weymouth passed away on August 15, 2022.  Loving husband to the late Catherine E Joyce and son of the late Edward and Francis (Slivonik) Joyce.  Born in Hyde Park as the oldest of 9 children, he was then raised in North Quincy, where he loved playing hockey, sailing, and fishing.

Jack was a lifelong engineer, attaining a bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University and master’s degree from MIT, both in mechanical engineering. In the early 60’s, while working for the International Equipment Company, he was tasked with improving the functionality of their centrifuges. His new design allowed centrifuges to operate above 100,000 RPM for the first time, which opened the door to new applications in biotechnology that are still in use today. Additionally, he collaborated with many scientists over the years, including a project with Jonas Salk on identifying new strains of the Polio virus. Much of his career was spent leading his own engineering firm, Joyce Associates, and he is the author of 10 patents in centrifuge design and gravity separations. Those who have had the pleasure of working with Jack know that his mastery and determination to come up with elegant solutions to complex problems is his lasting legacy.  

Everyone he knew was met with a welcoming smile, and he relished large extended family gatherings, conversing with friends and family with an unbounded open-minded curiosity, even on topics outside of golf. A beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend, he is survived by his 5 children, 12 grandchildren and one great-grandson: Jacqueline Rolfe and daughters, Katie with husband Chris and their son Oliver, Kelly and Melanie of West Bridgewater MA, Michael Joyce and wife Lisa Joyce, their son Thomas with wife Kayla and daughter Emily of Orrville OH, Diane Hesterberg and husband Paul Hesterberg and their daughters Grace and Evelyn of Winchester MA, Edward Joyce and wife Marie Joyce and their daughters Annelisa and Elizabeth of Cranston RI, Paul Joyce and wife Amy Joyce, their son Nathan and daughters Abigail and Molly of Abington MA. He is also the much-loved brother of Thomas Joyce of Brockton, Peter Joyce and wife Lori of San Marcos, CA, and Richard Joyce and wife Nancy of Quincy, sisters Ellen Richey of Evansville, IN, Mary Ann Garland of Weymouth, and Clare Donahue and husband Edward of Walpole. He was predeceased by his beloved sister Doris Driscoll of Abington, and brother Leonard of Quincy.

Visitation will be held in the Quealy & Son Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street, Abington Friday August 19 from 5pm to 7pm, followed by a funeral home service at 7pm. 

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