2 weeks Ago
A woman has paid tribute to her “happy, silly, playful and knowledgeable” father who died in a motorcycle accident. John Joyce, from Bexhill, died on April 2, aged 79, after his motorcycle collided with a telegraph pole on The Green in Catsfield . That morning, John had checked his premium bonds and discovered he had won £150.
“With a feeling of joy, he left the house to do his favourite thing, ride his motorbike to meet up with a friend”, said his daughter Zoe. “I imagine the ride must have been beautiful that day, the fresh spring breeze touching his face and the daylight popping out from behind the trees to cast stripy shadows of light and dark across the country lanes. “He enjoyed his friend’s company, laughing and joking in a way that only dad could, making everything positive and light-hearted.
Then he left to make his way home, except he never did. “My dad died on the way home whilst riding his motorbike on that beautiful day. It was very unexpected and nobody’s fault.
Nobody else was injured or implicated, he just fell from the bike after his body told him his time on Earth had come to an end. “And if dad could have written how he wanted to go, that probably would have been it. My family and I have taken great comfort in that.
” John was born in Lewisham, London on the August 9, 1945, growing up in a deprived area during a time of hardship as the world recovered from the Second World War. In the 1960s, John met his wife, Donna, while out on his motorbike with friends. They “hit it off straight away” and enjoyed going on bike rides together and visiting the Isle of Man TT.
In September 1968, John and Donna were married aged just 22 and 21. The couple spent their twenties working hard to build a stable and financially secure life, before having their daughter, Zoe, in 1981. After leaving school at 15, John started as an apprentice at The Mail in Fleet Street, then moved to Horace Marshall’s before settling at John Menzies Wholesale, an aviation company, in Charlton where he used to work nights.
John worked for the company for 25 years and was proud to receive a gold watch, handed out by Mr Menzies himself, for his service to the company. After moving to St Leonards, John started his own business, cutting grass and washing windows whilst he trained as a plumber at Hastings College. He started up John Joyce Plumbing and later became a lecturer at the college, training young, aspiring plumbers.
Zoe said: “Dad loved that job so much that he struggled to give it up. Right into his seventies, he’d still go out (on his bike more often than not) to assess the plumbing students for competency during their NVQ.” Before officially retiring John took a part time plumber/maintenance man position at The View Hotel in Eastbourne.
When he finally retired, he liked to spend his spare time doing what he loved most: riding his bike, seeing his grandchildren and spending time with his family. On many occasions, John motorcycled to Europe with friends, visiting Switzerland, Belgium and Germany. “I don’t think there’s a make of motorbike dad hadn’t owned, but he really cherished his BMW”, Zoe said.
“Dad once built up an old Vincent motorbike and later resorted an old Triumph. Dad was never without a bike and had to get out for a ride at least once a week.” He also liked to cycle and completed many cycle rides, including the London to Brighton ride three times and the 1066 ride.
A music-lover, in his spare time, John worked as a DJ, entertaining people at weddings, company parties and Christmas celebrations. Over the years he DJ’d for London Zoo, the Masons and was once offered a gig at The Lyceum. He collected thousands of LP45’s and was “gutted once when my mum accidentally sold a box of collectible ones”.
Zoe said: “He loved to help other people out where he could. He was a terribly practical man, who had lots of tools in his shed that could fix anything. “If Grandad can’t fix it, no one can” he’d say.
“My boys adored him. He was always happy, silly, playful and knowledgeable and they couldn’t wait to spend time with him. But he had that effect on everyone no matter what age they were.
“My family and I would like to thank everyone who has sent their condolences since Dad’s passing and especially extend our gratitude to those who supported Dad in his final moments on the roadside in Catsfield.” John leaves behind his wife Donna, daughter Zoe and grandsons, Ellis and Jonah..
