Great farming character who was full of fun is sadly missed in Clare
Ted Boyce was a well-known member of Limerick and Clare Friesian Breeders Club
Marts, field evenings, show days and so much more will never be the same again following the passing of Ted Boyce, of Ballytigue, Bruree, Co. Limerick.
He was a dairy farmer, pedigree breeder, committee member of Kilmallock Mart and had many roles in the North Munster Cattle Breeders Society and Limerick and Clare Friesian Breeders Club. Everybody knew and loved Ted.
His daughter, Angela, put it best in a beautiful eulogy at his funeral Mass when she said: “He was a great character, full of fun and he had a warm and witty personality. If there was any bit of mischief or devilment going on he was in the thick of it and more than likely he would have been the one that had started it!”
Ted could tell stories until the cows came home and you always left an encounter with him, in better form than beforehand.
His life revolved around family and farming. Married to Marie for 51 happy years, they had three children - Joe, Niamh and Angela. You would rarely see Ted without his brother Gerard.
Ted worked the family farm from a young age and loved every minute of it.
“He always had a great interest and passion in cattle. He loved breeding, showing and judging cattle. He started showing cattle as a young fella with his uncle Mick Hannon and he never stopped, even managing to make it to a few shows this summer despite his failing health.
“He travelled all over the country to shows, fatstocks, sales, marts, field evenings and had many great days out. It made his day that his grandson Shane shared his love of farming and cattle and he was so proud to see him in the show ring carrying on the tradition,” said Angela.
Ted worked hard all his life but he knew how to enjoy himself and lived life to the full.
“He was full of energy and loved meeting people, having the chats and the laughs and sharing stories and yarns. People young and old gravitated towards him and he had friends and knew people everywhere he went. He loved talking to people.
“He would often head off back the road with his zero grazer to cut grass for the cows. Ages would pass and there’d be no sign of him coming back. We’d be wondering if it was Cork he was gone to for the grass but eventually he’d arrive with it after meeting a neighbour on the road to talk to or he’d have stopped up in the field to have a chat with someone on the phone.
“He was a great listener and a great man to give advice,” said Angela.
Ted has been described as a great friend and neighbour, and a true gentleman, who was great company and a great man to have a chat with.
“To us, his family, he was all that and so much more. Mam and dad were happily married for 51 years. They supported each other through every challenge that life threw at them and together they created a loving and happy home for their family where the door was always open and everyone was welcome. He was an exceptional father and adored his grandchildren Shane and Clodagh. We’re blessed to have so many fond memories of his time with us. He was a man of great courage and determination,” said Angela.
That was very evident in how he dealt with many health issues over the years. Ted always picked himself up and battled on.
His health had failed in recent times but his passing on December 5 was still a shock as Ted had always bounced back.
The Boyce family thanked all the doctors and consultants who looked after him including Dr Tom Molloy, Dr Conor Geaney and the oncology unit in University Hospital Limerick.
They are especially grateful to the staff and palliative care team in Milford who took such good care of him in his final days and provided great support to the family.
The family thanked Fr Pat Hogan, Fr David Gibson, Fr Eugene Boyce, and Donna Finn for the beautiful music and the parish clerk for preparing the church.
Angela also expressed their thanks to everyone among the large crowds, who expressed their sympathies at the removal and Mass, and shared their memories. Fittingly, the Friesian Breeders Club gave a final send-off with a guard of honour.
“He was an inspiration to all of us and will live in our hearts forever,” said Angela.
Ted is missed by his loving wife Marie, son Joe, daughters Niamh and Angela, daughter-in-law Margaret, grandchildren Shane and Clodagh, brother Gerard, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephew,niece, extended family, neighbours and many, many friends.
May he rest in peace.