PORT HENRY — William Gerard Joyce Jr., 68, of Port Henry, died Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013, at the Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown, N.Y.
Bill was born June 24, 1944, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Elizabeth (Clogston) Joyce and William Gerard Joyce Sr. and moved to Port Henry in 1954. He attended St. Patricks Elementary School and graduated from Port Henry High School, Mount Assumption Institute, St. Michael's College and the University of Vermont. For many years, he owned and operated Nu-Way Laundry in Port Henry, retiring in 2002.
Through the years, Bill was an avid skier, golfer, sailor, avi ator and chef. He loved flying his Cessna around New Eng land and the Champlain Valley and sailing the waters of the British Virgin Islands. His culinary skills, acquired through his mother's teachings, were the envy of friends and family. The dinners he served were enjoyed by all.
William is survived by his life-companion, Gay Bush, of Port Henry; his sister Barbara Joyce-Dobson of Spartanburg, S.C.; a nephew, William Dobson, wife Kelly Cole and children Kate and Liam; a niece Kerry Reed, husband Burt Karson and children Tucker and Elizabeth; a niece Kristy Reed, husband John Pare and children Luke, Levi and Ira. He is also survived by Joy Gokey of Malone, Shae and Barry Leonard of Malone, Shasta and John Dailey of Moira, Scott and Nancy Bush of Averill Park, Dane and Tonya Bush of Vanceboro, N.C., Jerre White of Chateaugay and Jill and Gary Harrigan of Chateaugay.
He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Carol Reed. He was also predeceased by Gloria Rosen, David L. Bush and Beulah and David C. Bush.
Bill was blessed with friends who were exceptional in caring for him during his illness, his cousin, Dan Bryant and Kevin Flanagan, John Pare, Kristy Reed, Jerre White and Scott Bush.
At Bill's direction, there will be no services. Cremation arrangements are through Harland Funeral Home. His ashes will be taken to his camp on Lincoln Pond, his favorite place on earth.
Donations in his memory may be made to Angel Connec tion, 3323 NYS Route 74, Ticonderoga, NY 12883 or to the Elizabethtown Community Hospital in Elizabethtown, N.Y.
