John McCool Joyce

John McCool Joyce, 57, of Cressona, passed away on March 20, 2018, at home, surrounded by family and loved ones.

Born in Pottsville on September 10, 1960, he was the son of the late Jack and Polly McCool Joyce. He graduated from Pottsville High in 1978 and attended Penn State University.

He enjoyed notable success as a thoroughbred racehorse trainer in the late 80s and 90s. Later he worked as a sub-contractor and a commercial glazier. Most recently he was employed at Guilford Mills in Pine Grove. 

John was a kind and loving man with a heart of gold. His laid back attitude and willingness to help anyone anytime no matter what the personal sacrifice earned him a good reputation and many friends. 

John died after a brutal and seemingly short battle with cancer. Those who knew him best knew that he had been in excruciating pain for more than a year. He saw dozens of Drs. He took the narcotics they prescribed, but it didn't help much. They sent him here and there, increasing his dosage when he said it was getting worse. Eventually they began to doubt him and labeled him a drug addict. Finally, in mid-December, someone took him seriously and he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which had spread to his pelvis, spine, ribs and liver. Three months later he succumbed to the disease. This is the other side of the opioid crisis to which John fell victim.

John leaves behind a wife and best friend, Georgine Krell Joyce; a daughter, Veronica Margaret Joyce; a stepson, Dylan Conrad Schreader; two nieces and a grand-nephew; and countless friends. 

A Celebration of Life memorial service will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. March 31 at Geschwindt-Stabingas Funeral Home Inc., Schuylkill Haven. A visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Interment will be private.

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