John Donald Joyce

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March 23, 1931 - July 23, 2025

In Loving Memory

John Donald Joyce

John Donald Joyce
March 23 1931 – July 23 2025
(he never lost that impish twinkle in his eye)

Don passed peacefully, at home in Vernon BC, at the age of 94, with family by his side.Don has come to the end of his storied lifelong adventure and begun a wondrous new chapter.

Born in London, Ontario, John Donald (Don) Joyce was the youngest of four brothers. Along with them and his parents, he worked at a young age in the family business, Danforth Press, a small printing company in East York, Ontario. As the business grew, Don, at the tender age of 18, became part owner and was promoted to plant manager. By the time he retired at 57 years old, the now mid-sized firm employed over 75 people providing printing and marketing services for a loyal clientele.

When Don was 26, with his pilot’s licence for light aircraft, he wooed his yet-to-be wife to go flying with him — their unforgettable first date and the beginning of a lifelong love affair. Together, in 1971, they built their first custom home on a 10-acre country property in the tiny hamlet of Vandorf, near Aurora, Ontario. It was there that Don and Norrie raised three boisterous boys. ‘Old Plug Hat Lane’ provided the entire family an amazing life of country living. It was the place to be for corn roasts, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, making maple syrup, swimming in the pool, cutting-your-own Christmas trees, and other memorable parties — so many activities and unlimited memories!

In retirement, Don kept on living life to the fullest — always trying something new and different. He obtained his securities license and was a day trader on the floor of the Toronto Stock Exchange. Ever restless for more adventure, in 1988 he and Norrine uprooted and moved to Maple Bay, BC, a small seaside village near Duncan on Vancouver Island.There, he volunteered his time with the Federal Business Development Bank in Victoria, BC, helping small businesses with his problem solving skills. As well, Don and Norrine, with son, Adam, developed a business building custom homes in Ontario and Maple Bay, BC.

Don was an adventurer and explorer of places and ideas, always learning along the way. He enjoyed travelling, gourmet dinners, entertaining, volunteering, hiking, skiing, reading and attending jazz festivals, to name just a few of his many interests. And whether it was dabbling as a connoisseur of wine or as a fledgling mycologist (the study of mushrooms), Don jumped in with both feet to learn and loved each activity with passion.

In 2011 Don uprooted Norrie again and moved to Vernon, BC, where they lived in a wonderful community known as Sandpiper – where neighbours help neighbours. Don volunteered on council for five years and – like everywhere he went – made many friends. Don was a kind, generous, and thoughtful man who sought to find the good in others and was always ready to lend a helping hand. He was a genuine, gentle soul with a mischievous sense of humour who was deeply loved and respected. We were constantly reminded by his many beloved nieces and nephews that he was a ‘favourite’ uncle.

He is already profoundly missed. Don is predeceased by his parents, Jack and Tillie, his brothers, Wib (Alice), Al (Joy), Gord (Jo) and two infant sons, Jody and Craig. He is survived by his wife of 67 years Norrine, and his three sons: Dan (Lori), Stephen (Theresa) and Adam (Tikicia), and seven grandchildren: Keefery (Georgia), Emmett, Biran-April, Greg, Ryan, Aleks and Virginia.

The family plans to have a Celebration of Life sometime in the future. Anyone with an anecdote, story or just a nice memory, please contact Norrie or the Cypress Funeral & Cremation Services at: [email protected]

The family is extremely grateful for the staff of Hospice-At-Home (North Okanagan Hospice Society), whose care was exceptional, compassionate and who were always aware of Don’s dignity and wishes.

We would also like to give many thanks to Dr. Vaz and the team at the Cardiac Clinic, Vernon Jubilee Hospital, and to Don’s family doctor, Dr. Gorea. Together they gave Don six plus well lived ‘bonus years’ that we all cherished.

In Don’s memory, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Vernon Hospice Society at

https://nohs.ca/donate/form/ or the Cardiac Unit, for the Vernon Jubilee Hospital Foundation at

https://www.vjhfoundation.org/give-in-memory.