BOYCE: Elgin
Posted By On January 8, 2021 @ 12:00 AM In Goderich, Obituary | 30 Comments
It is with heavy hearts we share the passing of Elgin Allen Boyce of Goderich, on January 8th, 2021. At the time of passing Dad was surrounded by his loving family at Alexandra Marine and General Hospital. Dad, who was in his 93rd year, was a strong, proud, independent man. His gentle nature and kind heart will be greatly missed. Dad is survived by Margaret Iris Boyce, his loving and devoted wife of 68 years, his daughters Sherry Boyce (Mike Mallough) and Laurie Wilson (Tim), grandchildren Charlotte and John Wilson, faithful feline Patches, sister Dolly Shenfield, and many cousins, nieces and nephews. Dad is predeceased by his father Victor Lorne Boyce, mother Marjorie Rebecca Boyce (Nee Armstrong), and sister Hazel Schwanz (George).
During Dad’s first four years of marriage he was employed as an oiler on steamships sailing the Great Lakes. He joined the O.P.P. in 1957 and was originally stationed out of Whitby. Upon leaving the O. P.P. Dad was employed as a security guard at General Motors in Oshawa, until returning to Goderich to care for his ailing parents. He obtained employment as a maintenance mechanic at the Goderich Elevators, where he remained, until retiring in 1989.
Upon retirement Dad remained active. He loved life and lived it to the fullest. He took pride in caring for his home, and neighbours would always see him raking, cutting grass, or shoveling snow. He enjoyed the company of his friend Steve Riehl and referred to him as the son he never had and hence Steve became our brother. Dad was always up for the challenge of learning new technology. He had a special bond with his cousin KennyBoyce, who was more like the brother he never had, and Kenny was often called to the rescue as Dad attempted to master the latest learning curve on his tablet.
Dad had several favourite expressions, one of which included answering phone calls with, “Hello, Kelly’s Pool Hall.” Dad was quite the joker and it was often hard to know when he was being serious. Dad didn’t quite know how to respond when one of his comments about doing the edge walk at the CN tower was taken seriously and was gifted to him for his 90th birthday. Dad was a trooper and fearlessly did the walk with his grandchildren and was proud to share the video with anyone he encountered. Dad was a devoted family man and although he enjoyed both an Alaskan and Caribbean cruise he always claimed, “There’s no place like home!” We are comforted in knowing that that is exactly where Dad is now.
We are grateful for the help and support of the doctors and nursing staff at the hospital who gave Dad exemplary care and respect during his final days. We are also appreciative of the neighbours who have supported Dad in and out of hospital. Cremation has taken place and friends and family will be invited to a celebration of life at a later date. Expressions of sympathy donations to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Alzheimers Society, or the Humane Society would be greatly appreciated by the family, and may be arranged through McCallum and Palla Funeral Home,
519-524-7345. Visit www.mccallumpalla.ca to sign the book of condolences for Dad.
Shared by Daniel and Carolyn Schwanz
Condolences for the family of “BOYCE: Elgin”
Sorry to hear about Elgin always enjoyed are visit over the fence great neighbor Thinking of all the family Audrey and Ron
What a beautiful tribute to your dad..He will be sadly missed by his family and friends.Elgin definitely loved to joke with everyone in a serious manner and wait for your reaction. He loved all the latest techie stuff like cell phones, tablets and computers and relished having his own” Mr. Fix-it..Ken..on standby if needed. We will miss him..RIP Elgie💓
Elgin, an amazing neighbour, a great man and a good friend. Our street won’t be the same without him. My heart breaks for the family. Elgin always amazed me with the adventures he went in and the stories he would tell. The kids and I were so blessed to have him and Iris for neighbours and friends.
Dear Iris, Sherry, Laurie and families,
I remember Elgin as a sweet, gentle man.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
My beloved uncle always was able to make me laugh. He was so upbeat all of the time and never complained. He treated auntie like a Queen and loved his beautiful daughters with all his heart. He truly will be missed and I loved him very much. I will miss him alot. Be at peace Uncle I love you always Synda
You will be very much missed Elg.
My gardening and fix it buddy.
I’m going to miss our conversations and your sense of humour and of course teasing Iris.
It’s amazing how a terrible thing like a tornado can bring people together and introduce you to new friends.
A good friend and true gentleman.
Remembering Uncle Elgin: Always a smile on his face, kind and attentive. He always seemed to take a passionate interest in others. His online endeavours often brought smiles to our faces.
Just the kind of person we wish there was more of in this world. Thank you for the inspiration Uncle Elgin.
Love Danny and Carolyn
I was so sorry to read this….your Dad was an awesome neighbor when Nana and Grampa, the Taylor’s, lived next door … he will be sorely missed…our condolences to all of you Sherry, Laurie and family
I am so sorry for your loss,he was such a sweet guy,I will miss my chat,s with him…………….Marion
So sorry to hear of Elgin’s passing. The boys and I were so pleased when they agreed to keep Patches when she decided she needed to live with them. Thinking of you all. Jill
On behalf of myself, my husband Ron and my brother Keith we wish to express our heartfelt condolences on the loss of Uncle Elgin. He was kind, humorous, and had a gentle spirit and will be missed. He took a genuine interest in anything you had to say and always offered an opinion. We are thankful that we had the opportunity to have known him. As a close family I know you will lean on each other for support and remember all the wonderful times you had together. Sending you lots of love and comfort.
Love Ron, Joanne, and Keith
My sympathy to the Boyce family. Have been neighbors for many many years True gentleman. Always had a smile on his face and a greeting and wave.
Dear Aunt Iris, cousin Sherry, Laurie and families. Another sad and dark day in our lives. So sorry to learn of Elgin’s passing. Life just will not be the same without him and heaven will not likely be ready for the antics he along with my mother, father, Joan, John, Jim and uncle Jack will be up to.
I’ll miss our telephone conversations. Elgin always spoke of you and your families with pride and joy. Our thoughts and prayers will always be with you as you move forward, day by day.
Uncle Wayne and Aunt Susan
What a wonderful tribute to a man who will always be ‘Mr. Boyce’ to me, as my back-fence neighbour in my childhood home and the father of our amazing baby-sitter, Laurie, who came to be one of our dearest family friends as we ‘grew up’. I knew Mr. Boyce to be gentle and kind with a mischievous sparkle in his eye and he was never far away from his wife, Iris (who was Mrs. Boyce to me). My sincere condolences to Iris, Sherry, Laurie and all of Elgin’s extended family and friends on the passing of this dear and beloved man.
Holding in my heart memories of some wonderful pastoral visits with both Elgin & Iris.
I still miss Elgin’s jovial smile & frequent encouraging comments as we greeted one another at the end of worship.
Sherry & Laurie, please know my thoughts & prayers are with you & your Mom. Gail
Sherry and family – so sorry to hear about the passing of your dear Dad. I always enjoyed chatting with him – Cindy
Dear Iris and family – our hearts are sad with Elg’s passing. His love for each of you, will always be in your hearts. He was a wonderful example -for all whose lives he touched –
You are a special part of our lives. Love – Mr.and Mrs.D
Dear Iris and families:
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
Myself and Colleen enjoyed many chats, jokes and laughs, when we worked across at Sam’s hair studio.
Elgin was always a breath of fresh air.
Regards
Doug
Love you so much Grub, going to miss you a lot. Will never forget going for rides in the riding lawn mower with you, your tales where we didn’t know if what you were saying was real or made up or out CN tower edge walk. So happy to have had a grandpa I could adventure with.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Our thought and hugs are with you Laurier , Tim, Charlotte and Johnny. I know what a special place your dad had in your heart and how iinvolved he was in the kids life. I loved to see how close you all were as a family and I know that in the end, surrounded by you all he was confident in a life well lived full of love.
John and I send our condolences to Iris, Laurie, Sherry and the family. Elgin’s humorous nature was always a pleasure to experience. Once discussing his walk at the CN Tower with him, I marvelled at his courage to do this at any age, let alone age 90. Elgin will be missed.
Thinking of you Iris, Sherry, Laurie and families
Mom (Regina) and I are so sad to hear about the passing of Elgin. We both have great memories of our family times together living in Port Perry and many visits over the years to Goderich. He was a wonderful man and will be truly missed.
May all of your memories keep him close at heart ❤
Sending our love to all of you
Dear Iris, Laurie, Sherry and families……
Extending our deepest sympathy to you at this sad time. Elgin and Iris were the best neighbours ever. We often watched Elgin cut and manicure his beautifully kept lawn then sit back in his lawn chair and just enjoy the day. He loved to chat and tease and only a few knew what got us going the most!
Our thoughts are with you.
Sherry, Laurie, Aunt Iris and families, Mom (Dolly) and l send our love and prayers. We have such wonderful memories that will forever be cherished. Thinking of you during this difficult time.
Love Jay and Dolly
Dear Iris and family
We are so sad to hear of your los.
Our sincere sympathy is extended to you
My deepest sympathy to Iris and family. Elgin was a true gentleman with a wonderful sense of humor, a deep love for his family, a strong work ethic (his grass was immaculate and the envy of his neighbours)….and just a delightful neighbour and friend. He will be sorely missed, but always remembered with affection and respect. You have earned your wings Elgin…..fly with the angels.
I first met Elgin at the time of the tornado that hit Goderich, he had some trees that needed removal, and during our working with Elgin he said , Do you think God is trying to tell us something? Well that opened a beautiful discussion about what the bible has to say about why the world is in the condition that is in, and what the future holds out for mankind. Our friendship grew and our sharing of spiritual gems about the blessing of God Kingdom for mankind were always refreshing to both of us.I will miss my visits with him. Elgin was a good man!
All our love to Elgins family !
John and Karen Lohse
Love you Grubby! You’ve always been an amazing role model to me and Charlotte growing up and right to the end. You were always there for major life events and we never took that for granted. As I got older I could see similarities between us such as our ability to lie with a straight face and knack for hands on work. I also hope I get your hair and longevity. Rest In Peace and I know you’ll watch over us.
Article printed from Haskett Funeral Homes | Dashwood, Exeter, Goderich, Lucan, & Seaforth Ontario: https://www.haskettfh.com
URL to article: https://www.haskettfh.com/elgin-boyce/
Click here to print.
Copyright © 2010 Haskett Funeral Homes |All rights reserved.
My sincere condolences to all. Over the years, when ever I would encounter Elgin, we always had nice chats that would always be pleasant. One thing I will always remember Elgin for, is his smile and kindness. He always made a point to ask about family and conversation was easy. My dad also enjoyed his company and the moments he could assist him with his “devices”. He spoke about Elgin often and their productive, nice visits. Elgin,will for sure be a welcome special angel.