The family of Ryan Matthew Joyce, of County Road in Sheffield, share the news of his passing on September 30, 2023. Ryan was born on November 8, 1986, in Pittsfield. He was the firstborn child of his parents, Kevin D. and Felecie Ovitt Joyce. He was a 2004 graduate of Mt. Everett Regional High School, where he played basketball and golf. Ryan worked beside his dad as a skilled painting contractor and, in his free time, enjoyed fishing, golfing, history, gardening, woodworking, and furniture refinishing.
He spent many hours with his three grandparents, whom he loved dearly: his paternal “Grandma Duke,” Phyllis Joyce; his maternal “Gram,” Alice Ovitt; and his “Pop,” Brian Ovitt, with whom Ryan was especially close (he was his Pop’s left-hand man).
In addition to his parents and grandparents, Ryan leaves his sister and best friend, Kendra Joyce Ball, and her husband, Roger E. Ball III. He also leaves his aunt and godmother Laurie Briggs, his aunt Melissa Joyce, his uncle and godfather Michael Ovitt (auntie Lisa), his uncle Travis Ovitt (aunt Jayme), and his uncle Charles Joyce (aunt Erica). Additionally, he leaves his first cousins, Christopher Joyce (Cassie), Raymond Briggs (Kim), Dustin Briggs (Audra), Alexis Ovitt, Nicholas Joyce, Hannah Joyce, Jonathan Ovitt (Caitlyn), Sydney Ovitt, and Whitney Ovitt. He also leaves Kylie, Lillian, Michael, Timothy, Amelia, and Andrew. He leaves a large extended family, his dog Foxxy, and many friends.
Ryan’s most precious relationship, the one he held closer than any, was with his niece and goddaughter Riley Sarah Ball, and his two nephews, Roger “Ensign” Ball IV and Matthew Donald Ball. They adored their Uncle Ry-Ry, and he absolutely adored them. There were many hours spent visiting the local farm animals, enjoying nature at the backyard pond, spending evenings making s’mores around a fire pit, riding the zip line he installed for them, movie nights on the deck, and tractor rides. There were also very competitive games of checkers. Any time with them was valued and memorable.
Ryan will be remembered for his quiet demeanor, quick wit, dry sense of humor, his compassion, his political views and banter, and the love and closeness that he held for his entire family. He had a helpful nature and, moreover, he had the most infectious grin, and when he smiled, it captured your heart.
Ryan was pre-deceased by his paternal grandfather Donald Joyce, his aunt Betsey Joyce, and his uncle Timothy Briggs.
A gathering in honor of Ryan will be held on Sunday, October 29, from 1 to 4 p.m., at the Sheffield Town Park Pavilion on Frederic Lane (off of Miller Avenue). All other arrangements will be private, per his request.
Donations in Ryan’s memory may be made to the Sheffield Volunteer Hose Co #1, or the 5th Floor Cardiac Care Unit of Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., in care of the Birches-Roy Funeral Home in Great Barrington. Condolences may be through the funeral home’s website.
