Rev. James K. Joyce, age 75, former longtime Pastor of Sacred Heart Church, passed away Saturday evening, January 8, 2022, following a long illness. He was born in Pittsfield, April 23, 1946, the fifth of six children born to the late Paul J. Joyce, and Rita J. Frawley Joyce. Fr. Jim was a 1964 graduate of St. Joseph’s Catholic Central High School. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Siena College in Loudonville, N.Y. in 1968 and a Master of Divinity degree from Niagara University in 1972. Fr. Jim attended Our Lady of Angels Seminary in Glenmont, N. Y. Fr. Jim was ordained a priest on April 22, 1972 at St. Joseph’s Church.
His first assignment was as a Parochial Vicar at Our Lady of Hope Parish in Springfield from 1972-1978. He was then appointed the first Director of the Pittsfield Catholic Schools, a position he held from 1978 through 1987. He served as Administrator at St. Mary’s Parish in Cheshire, St. Francis Xavier Parish in Pittsfield and at North American Martyrs Parish in Lanesboro.
On December 10, 1988, he was appointed pastor of Sacred Heart Church, and served as such until January 1, 2016.
Among his many others duties, Fr. Jim served as a representative for the Pittsfield Area Council of Churches for twelve years as a member of the Presbyteral Council for the Diocese for six years and as a member of the Clergy Commission for the Diocese for six years. Fr. Jim also served as a member of the Allocation Board for the Annual Catholic Appeal for twelve years.
Most recently, Fr. Jim served as a member of the former Board of Directors of the Pittsfield Catholic Schools as well as a trustee on the Diocesan Catholic School Board. He also served on the Board of Berkshire Place where he assisted in establishing a Chapel for Prayerful Reflection there. Fr. Jim has always been proud of his Irish Heritage and had visited Ireland twice and very much enjoyed both trips. He fell in love with Killarney and always said that he could retire there… if they built a bridge!
Fr. Jim loved to play golf, despite his lack of skill with the sticks. He was selected by the Berkshire County Irish American Club 2010 as “ Irishman of the Year “.
He is survived by his two sisters, Mrs. Martha Huggins and her husband, Bill, of Pittsfield, Mrs. Judy Curtin of West Sand Lake, N.Y., his three brothers, Joseph P. Joyce of Hatfield, PA., Philip F. Joyce and his partner, Michael Oatman of Ellenton, FL. and Peter D. Joyce and his wife, Wendy of Ellenton, FL.
Fr. Jim loved, loved, loved his twelve nephews and nieces and twenty seven great nieces and great nephews. He was predeceased by a brother-in-law, John Curtin and a sister-in-law, Pat Joyce, as well as a niece and a nephew, Amy and Timothy Joyce.
Calling hours AT SACRED HEART CHURCH, 191 Elm Street, Pittsfield, will be this FRIDAY, January 14, 2022 from 4 P.M. to 7 P.M.. with the Vigil for Fr. Jim to follow at 7 P.M.
The Liturgy of Christian Burial will be celebrated at SACRED HEART CHURCH, SATURDAY, January 15, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. with the Most Rev. William D. Byrne, Bishop of Springfield as chief celebrant. Concelebrants will be Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, pastor of St. Joseph’s Church and the Rev. Steven G. Montesanti, pastor of Sacred Heart Church, officiating, in addition to many priests throughout the Diocese. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Sisters of St. Joseph in care of DEVANNY-CONDRON FUNERAL HOME.