Papa Joyce
My grandfather Stephen Michael Joyce was born on February 12, 1911 in Millis, Massachusetts to Patrick Joyce and Mary (Collins) Joyce. Both of his parents were from Ireland and immigrated in the 1890s. He had three sisters and two brothers. Stephen married Marie Elizabeth Ramseyer on November 27, 1941. During their marriage of 49 years, they had five children. Stephen (Papa) passed away on December 29, 1990 at the age of 79.
The first decade of his life was spent in Millis, MA. He then lived in Milton, MA from 1930-1940, and moved to Roslindale when he got married. My grandfather attended Milton High School (Class of 1928). I had no idea that my grandfather was in so many clubs. It's fitting that he was a "Room Banker" since he ended up in finance.
He then went on to graduate from Bentley School of Accounting and Finance in 1932. Years later, he became the President of the Bentley Alumni Association and was on the Bentley advisory board. According to Bentley University's website, "Bentley University's history of alumni engagement begins when a core group of graduates establishes the Bentley Alumni Association." In the first photo below, he is pictured in the second row, last gentleman on the right. (Images courtesy of the Bentley University Archives)
(Images courtesy of the Bentley University Archives)
My grandfather was a very hardworking man and always set a good example for his grandchildren. I remember him telling me that he had worked at an ice cream parlor—he made the best ice cream sodas, frappes, and banana foster, and the best fresh-squeezed orange juice! He must have had the ice cream parlor job in his early teens. According to a 1930 Census, he was working as a clerk for United Fruit Company in Boston at the age of 19 and one account has him working there as young as 17.
In the mid 1930's, my grandfather worked as Chief Clerk for the United Fruit Company in Cristobal, Panama. I can barely recognize him in his Republic of Panama passport photo.
From 1937-1941, Stephen worked as an auditor at Robert Lubets Co. Following that role, he joined B.L. Makepeace, Inc. as treasurer and director. In 1947, after the owner's death, he and Joseph Edwards purchased the company. In 1977, Joseph Edwards retired and Stephen Joyce served as president and treasurer of B.L. Makepeace, Inc. from 1976 until his retirement in 1980.
My grandparents got married on November 27, 1941, which happened to be Thanksgiving Day. They spent their honeymoon in Cuba and even had drinks at the infamous Sloppy Joe's Bar in Havana. My father was born exactly nine months later on August 27, 1942!
Below are professional photographs and proofs of my grandfather, presumably for his work at B.L. Makepeace, Inc. I had to include them all because I think they're fantastic.
I found the above photo and loved the atmosphere of it. Luckily, my grandmother wrote names and location on the back. This was likely a work trip in New York. They are having cocktails at a well-known bar called Bill's Gay Nineties.
I found this poem among the items my grandmother saved. I don't know if my grandfather wrote it or not. I like to think that he did.
I wish I had a little more time with my grandparents. I lost my grandmother in 1997 when I was 20 and my grandfather in 1990, a few days before I turned 15. When I think of my grandfather, I think back of having sleepovers at their house in Roslindale and playing scrabble—dictionary by our side. When I stayed at their summer cottage in Halifax, he always had fresh-squeezed orange juice on the table in the morning. Papa had dinner table rules: no elbows on the table and sit up straight. A slouch would get you a knuckle down the back, but it was done in good fun. My grandfather was serious, but had a great sense of humor. He really liked to joke and tease and would sing Irish Limericks, although I can't recall any of them.
I can picture Papa out in the yard in Halifax either fixing the flower boxes, cleaning the gutters, or grilling steaks. I also remember him sitting on the porch with a homemade iced coffee or a rum collins—our family's traditional cocktail. Visit this link to see a painting I did of my grandfather with this iconic cocktail in-hand. He invented something called "Game Time" where he rounded up all us grandchildren to join the adults in the kitchen to help wash, dry, and put away the dishes. I'd have to say my work ethic primarily stems from my grandfather.
These last two photos really capture my grandparents spirit—relaxed and enjoying their lives. I will have to remind myself to appreciate life as much as I know they both did.
