Harry Boyce

On June 8th, Harry David Boyce passed away at age 88.  He was the beloved husband of the late Mary M. Boyce for 58 years; loving father of Susan M. Schoenfelder, David M. Boyce, and the late Daniel M. Boyce; also survived by seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Harry was the son of Harry L. Boyce and Nellie Dellinger Boyce and was the last living sibling of five children.  He was born in Luke, Maryland in December 1930, but lived across the Potomac on the West Virginia side in a town near Piedmont.  When he was about 13 years old, his family moved to Baltimore, where his father worked in the naval shipyards.  When Harry was only 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he worked on destroyers and supply ships.  During his service, they provided aid for the Korean War and ported at many different European and South Atlantic countries.  Before he was medically discharged in 1955 for a back injury incurred while working on a ship, he was commissioned to be an officer, but had to leave before that finalized.  While his injury caused him years of pain, he never regretted his time in the Navy and always remembered his service with fondness and pride.

Once Harry left the Navy, his injury prevented him from pursuing many types of careers, so he became a licensed barber and beautician, which lead him to meeting his future wife, Mary.  After marrying, they settled in Baltimore Highlands, where he resided for over 60 years.  In their home, they raised three wonderful children and made lifelong friends of neighbors.  After years of working at a local dental lab casting gold, Harry decided to partner with a friend and open D & D Dental Lab, where he worked until his retirement in 1986.

He and his wife liked to travel and sightsee and visited many places in the U.S.  However, their real love was spending time with family.  Harry created many memories with Sue, David, and Danny and their families through the years and was always very supportive and loving when life changes occurred.  They were able to witness their seven grandchildren grow into adults and for some, get married and have children of their own.  Harry was the proud great-grandfather to three beautiful girls and two handsome boys.

In 2015, Harry lost his beloved wife, Mary.  He loved her every minute of his life and never stopped wearing his wedding ring even after she died.  He missed her everyday and his devotion to their life together was evident in every story he told, every choice he made, every memory he had.  When they suffered the loss of their son in 2008, it was devastating and they leaned on each other and family for support.  After her death, he was restless and seemed to be searching for a way to fill a hole that would never be filled.

Harry was also called David, a name used in his childhood (so as not to confuse father and son); however, as an adult, many knew him by this name as well.  In his later years, Harry could occasionally be found idling around the local flea market or enjoying a meal at local fast food establishments.  He enjoyed reading, television, ancestry research, and reminiscing.

Through his life, Harry was known to be a hardworking and caring man.  Though stubborn at times, he never ceased to counter that with love and wisdom.  He took care of his family and taught them self-reliance and self-worth.  He was a true cornerstone of his family that will be dearly and forever missed.  May God bless his soul now and always.

Relatives and friends may visit at the family owned Ambrose Funeral Home of Lansdowne 2719 Hammonds Ferry Rd. on Thurs from 11-1, where a graveside Funeral Service will be held thereafter at Loudon Park Cemetery.