Roy A. Boyce
August 31, 1941 – March 24, 2024
Roy A. Boyce, 82, formerly of the Town of Claverack, died peacefully on March 24, 2024, at the Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie.
Born August 31, 1941, in Jamaica, Queens, he was the son of the late Richard and Minnie Steeger Boyce.
After graduating Wappingers High School, Roy went on to have a career in law enforcement. A detective in the Juvenile Unit of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Department, he retired after 29 years of service.
Mr. Boyce was a member of the NY Police Juvenile Officers Association, an organization in which he held all officer’s positions over the years including President.
Roy was a certified police instructor, former DARE instructor, and lead of the Dutchess County Sheriff’s DARE Program. He notably was the person inside the “McGruff the Crime Dog” costume.
Roy was an active member of Christ Church in Hudson, where he once served as Church Warden and Vestry Member.
Active in his community, Roy was an auxiliary member of the Poughkeepsie Fire Dept. in the early 1960’s and was a former Hyde Park Town Councilman and Deputy Supervisor. He also served as a Boy Scout leader for over 25 years with Hyde Park Troop #80 as well as on the district level.
On June 10, 1967, Roy married the former Diane Clare Lobb. Mrs. Boyce predeceased him on March 7, 2016.
In his free time, Roy loved traveling, especially with his late wife.
Survivors include his sons, Shaun R. Boyce, Sr. and wife, Deborah, of Salt Point, and Kevin A. Boyce and wife, Jennifer, of Yonkers; and grandchildren, Mary Elizabeth Boyce, Shaun R. Boyce, Jr., and Emma Catherine Boyce.
He is also survived by his nephews, Richard Boyce Jr. and wife, Nancy, of Jacksonville FL., and Jeffrey Boyce of Florida, and their families; and brother-in-Law, Jeffrey Rosencrans, and wife, Theresa, of Wappingers Falls.
In addition to his wife, he was predeceased by his brother, Richard Boyce.
Calling hours will be 4 to 7 PM, Wednesday, March 27th at Sweet’s Funeral Home, Rte. 9, Hyde Park.
Funeral services will be at 11 AM, Thursday, March 28th at St. James’ Episcopal Church Rte. 9 Hyde Park. Rev. Meredith Kadet Sanderson will officiate.
Cremation and internment of his cremains in St. James’ Churchyard will take place at the convenience of the family.
Special thanks from the Boyce family to the staff at the Lutheran Care Center and Hudson Valley Hospice for their compassionate care of Roy.
In lieu of flowers, the Boyce family respectfully requests memorial donations to the Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 80 Washington St., Suite 204, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. (www.hvhospice.org).
To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit Roy’s obituary page at www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.
