Rick "Smokey" Boyce

July 5, 1967 - Aug. 16, 2007
SOUTH BEND - Rick Boyce, lovingly known as "Smokey," passed away of an unexpected illness on Aug. 16th in the Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. He was 40 years old.

Rick is survived by his mother, Willie Boyce; a sister, Rhonda Boyce; a brother, Joseph Boyce Jr.; his fiancée, Maria Paloma; a host of nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and loving friends; Aunt Bettie Williams (Eugene), Aunt Frankie Thomas, Aunt Gerldine Kann (Roy), Aunt Shirley Lee, Uncle Alton Harris (Erma Jean), Uncle Albert Harris (Erma Jean), Uncle Larry Lee, Uncle Charles Lee and Uncle Rickey Lee.

He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph Boyce Sr., brothers, William Boyce and Paul Boyce; maternal grandparents, Alton Harris Sr. and Jeffie Lee; paternal grandparents, Ralph and Edna Mae Boyce; and special friend, Kim Peak.

Rick accepted Christ while attending Freedom Temple Deliverance C.O.G.I.C., where he was president of the trustee board. He recently went under watch care with Living Water C.O.G.I.C.

Rick was a 1985 graduate of LaSalle High School, South Bend. He served in the United States Army in 1987 and was honorably discharged.

He was head chef at Memorial Hospital Atrium Deli from 1993 until its closing in 2005. He worked briefly as the head chef at the Elks Lodge located on McKinley Avenue, Mishawaka. Rick then decided to pursue his lifelong dream of running the family restaurant, J&W Taste of New Orleans, located on Beyer Avenue, South Bend. Although Rick had no children of his own, he was a prominent father figure to all of his nieces and nephews. Rick loved life and lived it to the fullest. He enjoyed traveling and was a collector of fine things. Rick was generous to a fault, never hesitating to offer assistance to those around him. He was well-loved in the community, and will most be remembered by his loving spirit. He will be dearly missed by all who where blessed to have known him.

Funeral services will be held at noon Thursday, Aug. 23, in Pentecostal Cathedral C.O.G.I.C., located at 1025 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN 46619. Viewing will be at 11 a.m. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Arrangements have been entrusted to Alford's Mortuary where bereavement messages may be sent to alfordsmortuary@comcast.net, c/o the Boyce family.

Published by South Bend Tribune on Aug. 21, 2007.

08/28/2022 EJS