Charles R Boyce

Charles Ronald Boyce, 84, formerly of Bethpage, NY died Thursday, April 26, 2018 in Boca Raton, FL.

Charles was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. He met his wife Carole in 1957 in Brooklyn, NY and they were married on June 1958. They had 5 children, Ronald, William, Edward, Kenneth and Carol Ann and 5 grandchildren whom he loved dearly.

Charles life was also dedicated to his family and serving his country and the public.  He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, from June 1952 to May 1956 as a Jet Mechanic, where he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was awarded two medals of honor during his service; the Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal.  

In continuation of his service to others, in 1960 Charles joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) as a firefighter in Ladder 159 Brooklyn. He rose through the ranks during his decorated career and retired 30 years later as a Captain in Ladder Company 103. During his time with the FDNY Charles was awarded by Mayor Beame the Brooklyn Citizen’s Medal for numerous rescues in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, while serving as a Firefighter in Ladder Company108.

Charles also was an active and distinguished member of the Bethpage Volunteer Fire Department for 45 years. During his service, he held many ranks and roles – served as an officer in Ladder Company 3; 2nd Lieutenant, 1st Lieutenant, Captain and was appointed Honorary Deputy Chief in 2013.

Charles dedicated his life to his family and serving others. He was extremely gregarious and took pride in sharing stories recapping his valiant career and was a great story and joke teller. He loved to make his friends and family laugh. He retired from the FDNY in 1990 and spent winters in Boca Raton, FL, where he enjoyed playing golf and socializing at the Boca Raton Golf and Tennis Club.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Carole Marie; their children, Ron and Joan Boyce, of Palm Coast, FL; William Boyce of Greene, NY; Edward Boyce of Clayton, NC;  Kenneth and Caterina Boyce of Huntington, NY, and Carol Ann and John Scudder of Miller Place, NY. He is also survived by five grandchildren, Nicole Daly, who is married to Gavin Daly of Morristown NJ; Justine Scudder of Miller Place, NY; Marcella and Breanne Boyce of Huntington, NY, and Bryan Boyce of Huntington, NY. He is preceded in death by his brother William Boyce and sister Miriam Ahlquist.

Visitation Services will be held on May 9 and 10, between the hours of 2 & 4pm and 7 & 9pm at Arthur F. White Funeral Home, Inc. 234 Broadway, Bethpage, NY 11714. Funeral services will be held on Fri., May 11, 10:00 am at St. Martin of Tours Roman Catholic Church, 220 Central Avenue, Bethpage, NY 11714.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 by phone at (800) 805-5856 or online at www.stjude.org.

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