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About
Michael F. Joyce
(9/25/1962 - 6/28/2006)
Miles for Michael Fund of The Luzerne Foundation is
a way for the family and many friends of Michael
Joyce to remember this extraordinary man in an
extraordinary way. A resident of Duryea, Michael
passed away Wednesday, June 28, at Geisinger Wyoming
Valley Medical Center, Plains Township. He was 43.
Michael was president of Joyce Financial Group, and
was well-known across the region for his loving
ways. The thousand-plus friends who attended his
memorial service are a testament that his life was
spent helping others and that there was never one
person who came to him for assistance that he turned
away.
It was that selflessness that led to the formation
of the Miles for Michael Event held on Saturday,June
17, 2006. Throughout his 14-month battle with head
and neck cancer, Michael never asked anything for
himself, but asked his friends to provide support to
other families who might not be as capable of
handling the financial burdens of long-distance
treatments. Although the original goal of the Miles
for Michael Event was $10,000,more than $100,000 was
raised. A large portion was given to the American
Cancer Society – Wyoming Valley Unit for cancer
research, and $50,000 went toward establishing a
permanent fund within The Luzerne Foundation.
Addressing the needs of cancer patients and their
families, this Fund will provide support for
unexpected expenses such as travel, lodging, food,
gas, and tolls that will help families to remain
with loved ones during treatment and recovery.
More about Michael
Michael resided in Duryea with his loving wife, the
former Laura Doran, and was the proud father of 2
children, Abby and Aaron. He was very active
in the community where he served as director of the
Avoca Basketball League, President of Avoca Jolly
Boys, and was involved with the Pittston Area
Intermediate Center. Michael coached a 5th Grade
Girls Basketball team and an Avoca Little League
baseball team. He was also a former
board of director for Taylor Nursing Home, Lector /
Finance Committee Member at St. Mary's church in
Avoca, and was a member of the Ancient Order of
Hyberia, Neil McLaughlin Avoca Chapter. He was
a loyal basketball fan of St. John's University,
Philadelphia Phillies Red Baron's Baseball and
Dallas Cowboys.
Michael graduated from Scranton Prep and The
University of Scranton with a Masters Degree in
Health Administration. He completed his
undergraduate work at University of New Haven. He
also held a degree from the Culinary Institute of
America. As president of Joyce Financial Group in
Pittston, PA he assisted seniors in preparing and
implementing retirement plans for over 8 years.
Michael developed a specialty in working with
retirees and those about to retire who want to
protect their principal and insure that their money
lasts. |
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