Patrick Joseph Joyce

Patrick Joseph “PJ” Joyce, 83, passed away in Tacoma, WA on February 2, 2021 surrounded by his family.

PJ was born in Chicago, IL on July 23, 1937, the youngest of 4 children, to Coleman and Maryanne (Derranne) Joyce of the Aran Islands, Ireland.  After losing his mother as an infant, PJ was sent to live with the Walsh family, spending his childhood as the 2nd youngest in a family of 10 children.  

After graduating high school, PJ joined the Marines and served for 2 years stationed at Camp Pendleton.  After his honorable discharge, he went to trade school and qualified as a steamfitter.  After one too many cold Chicago winters, PJ headed out west, landing in Los Angeles, where he met a beautiful Irish girl named Patricia Mealey at Molly Malones Irish Pub (a place where everybody knew his name).  They married in December 1970, and started a family in Northridge, California, where they lived until 2005.  PJ and Patricia celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in December 2020. 

PJ loved being a father to his daughters and he loved sports.  He spent many years coaching his daughters in soccer, basketball and softball and cheering them on from the sidelines.  He was an avid baseball fan, cheering for the White Sox, then the Angels, and finally the Mariners. 

PJ never met a stranger.  He was outgoing and friendly, and loved meeting new people, usually breaking the ice with a bad joke.  Visitors to the Joyce house still talk about PJ’s hospitality and his legendary breakfasts.  He was a man of many talents, and was always helping family and friends with plumbing, electrical, and woodworking projects. 

PJ will be missed by friends and family in Chicago, Los Angeles and in Gig Harbor, WA, where he lived the last 15 years.  He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Patricia (Mealey) Joyce, his daughters, Erin Letey, Colleen Joyce and Shannon Joyce, his 2 son-in-laws, his 6 grandchildren Caitlin, Cormac, Elliot, Rowan, Pippa and Keira and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He is predeceased by his parents, sisters Josephine Kennedy and Barbara McMahon, and brother Thomas Joyce. 

In lieu of flowers, the Joyce family would like to ask that you make a donation in PJ’s name to Pierce County Catholic Community Services.

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