Kenneth Leslie Joyce

Kenneth Joyce died peacefully, in Barrie on April 11, 2023, just shy of his 95^th birthday, surrounded by his children and their spouses.

Ken Joyce was born in Toronto, May 3, 1928 to English immigrants John and Winnifred Joyce, brother to Jack jr., Audrey and Doreen. He was raised in central Toronto and started working in the insurance business, immediately out of high school. He soon met Elaine Audrey Roworth, who worked at the same company; He was 19 and she was sixteen! They soon fell in love and, a few years later were married, bought a home, in Scarborough, and, successfully, raised a family of three children. They were married a total of 69.5 years. Elaine died before Ken in February 2021.

Ken’s hard work and excellence at negotiating enabled him to grow and prosper as an insurance adjuster in the Guardian Group of insurance companies. After 20 or so years, he left the Guardian Group to join insurance broker Reed, Shaw, Osler (eventually, Reed Stenhouse Ltd. and now AON) as Vice President, Claims. His knowledge of insurance policies and insurance company operating methods, enabled him to excel in assisting clients to obtain the best possible claim payouts on their claims. He loved his job and traveled extensively to help resolve difficult insurance claims. He was a past president of the Ontario Insurance Adjusters Association and was their longest-lived past president.

Although considered city people, Ken and Elaine retired to Horseshoe Valley, Ontario around 1988 and prospered. They built a home and immersed themselves in local activities, including local politics, golf, tennis, and cross-country skiing. Ken particularly enjoyed participating in an ad hoc men’s group called “The Rinky-Dinks”.  He was president of the Horseshoe Valley Property Owners Association and loved to welcome new residents to the area. He also loved jazz music and was a member of a group of jazz aficionados, who met regularly to share music finds. Ken supported Elaine’s involvement in the Women’s Institute, the Oro-Medonte Horticultural Society and helped her with the lovely flower gardens around their home.

Ken is survived by all of his children and their spouses: David Joyce and Carol Teal; Brian and Mary Joyce; Janet Joyce and Michael de la Haye. As well, he is survived by six grandchildren: Anne, Daniel, Megan, Alex, Christopher, and Devin, plus three great-grandchildren, Lane, Emmett, and Edward.

The Joyce family will be forever grateful for the medical care, personal attention and guidance that Dr. David K. Evans provided to Ken and Elaine over the years.  Memorial donations to Royal Victoria Hospital www.rvh.on.ca  and Hospice Simcoe www.hospicesimcoe.ca , in lieu of flowers, would be appreciated.