As World War II was ending, Joseph Leo Joyce and Mary Frances Joyce of Chicago. Illinois welcomed the birth of their first child: Joseph Kevin. As the first male child born into the family in decades, little "Joey" was taken to a parade of professional photographers by his proud great-uncle Phil.

In the ensuing years, three brothers followed: Thomas, Stephen, and James. With four boys in less than 10 years, the Joyce household was very lively.

Joey was an artistic and adventuresome boy who attended St. Ignatius Elementary School, St. George High School, and the University of Chicago.

Called to serve his country, Joe was sent to the jungles of Vietnam and honorably discharged.

Following his military discharge, Joe took a job at Trans World Airlines, which enabled him to travel to many countries, including a memorable father-son trip to Ireland. Intrigued by a feisty cargo freight start-up called Federal Express, Joe began working for them and moved about the country as they expanded their service. Tucson, AZ; Metairie, LA; and Coral Gables, FL were but a few of the places he called home. In 1992, after many awards of merit, Joe transferred to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport as Director of International Flight Operations. He met and married Donna, who shared the rest of his life. They honeymooned in one of the few places neither of them had yet visited: Bali.

Joe retired from FedEx in 2000. He and Donna had had enough of flying and began taking road trips to Florida, along with Joe's cats and Donna's Borzoi. They bought a blufftop winter home and, after two years, decided to move permanently to a larger home in the area.

Joe died peacefully at home, under Donna's care. He was predeceased by his brother Stephen, eight cats, and 10 Borzoi. Donna, Joe's brothers Thomas (Janet), and James (Jeanette) survive him.