HUGH EDWARD BOYCE

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HUGH EDWARD BOYCE 1924 - 2007 After a long battle with Alzheimer's, Hugh died on Sunday evening, February 4, 2007. Hugh was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth in August 2005 and is survived by his children Patrick, Lesley, Zoltan and their families; his sisters, Margret and Mary, and brother Jim. Hugh's parents emigrated from Ireland and Scotland in the early 1900s and he grew up in Fort Rouge attending Kelvin High School. This was always an important starting point for all of his stories and anecdotes. Hugh lost his father at an early age and growing up in the 1930s was a formative time for him more recently this time was revisited with Marg, which provided a comfort and a familiarity, which had been missing since his illness began. Hugh joined the Navy in the Second World War and was assigned to HMCS St. Boniface which was conveniently stationed in New York. 52nd Street became his story; Ella was his sweetheart and jazz was in his heart throughout his life. Hugh's family and cottage at Falcon Lake provided much solace during his working life at the CNR. In his retirement, Cuba became a new Mecca. His cultural interests shifted immediately to include the good life... rum, beaches and Cuban dance bands... much to Bette's chagrin, the Hemmingway beard soon appeared. With the onset of Alzheimer's and the loss of Bette, a struggle emerged which he never had the ability to come to terms with. Always a gentle man, he depended on his children to get him through those hard times. In the last year, his smile and sense of humour returned with the birth of his great-grandson Rowen Hugh, whom he enjoyed visiting in Vancouver with his grandchildren, Jesse and Jennifer. Hugh will always be remembered by everyone with love and respect. HAVE MERCY TALLY HO Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is planned for June at St. Peter Dynevor Church, East Selkirk. NEIL BARDAL INC. 949-2200. nbardal.mb.ca

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 10, 2007