Charles E. Boyce, a longtime resident of Andover and beloved husband of MaryEllen (Leahy) Boyce, died at his home, surrounded by family, on December 2, 2012. He was 87 years old.
Born in Derby, Connecticut, he was the beloved son of the late Charles P. and Kathryn V. (McCarthy) Boyce. Charlie was a WWII Army veteran, entering the service at Fort Devens on October 20, 1943. He was drafted after his junior year at Ansonia (CT) High School and saw his first combat as part of Company L, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Division on Utah beach during the D-Day invasion. Charlie saw action in the Normandy, the Germany and the Northern France Campaign. He was awarded the European African Middle Eastern Theatre Campaign Ribbon with three bronze stars for valor in combat. Upon returning from the war, he attended the University of Miami and joined Diamond Crystal in 1948, in field sales for the salt division. He earned several promotions and retired as President and Vice Chairman of Diamond Crystal Specialty Foods, Inc. of Wilmington in 1990. He was a former member of the advisory committee for the American Dietetic Association (Chicago). Charlie served as an usher at St. Robert Bellarmine Church in Andover for many years.
Above all, Charlie was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Besides his beloved wife of 62 years, MaryEllen, he will be very sorely missed by his loving children; Michael L. and his wife Patricia Boyce of Ellsworth, Maine, Ellen M. and her husband John Moss of Concord, Patrick J. and Claudia Ciano-Boyce of Southampton and Anne E. Boyce of Maplewood, New Jersey; six grandchildren; Caitlin, Cameron, Will, Meghan, Halle and Liam and eleven nieces and nephews. He was also the devoted brother of the late Eileen Kennedy and brother-in-law of the late Edward J. Kennedy of Huntsville, Alabama and Mary Lou and the late Thomas Leahy of Glastonbury, CT.
His memorial mass was celebrated at St. Robert Bellarmine Church, 198 Haggetts Pond Road, Andover on Saturday, December 15, 2012, at 11AM. Many relatives and friends were in attendance. Calling hours were held at St. Robert’s on Friday, December 14, 2012, from 4 - 8 PM. Interment was privately held.
Donations in Charlie’s memory may be made to the American Heart Association, 20 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701 or to the American Cancer Association, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701. For additional information, please visit, www.burkemagliozzi.com.