Family pay tribute to former publican of Hoxton pub
Judd Joyce passed away after a massive heart attack last month - Credit: Archant
More than 300 people turned out for the funeral of a “popular” former publican of a Hoxton pub last Thursday at the City of London Crematorium.
People from far-flung places such as Thailand, Spain and Poland attended Judd Joyce’s funeral in Aldersbrook Road. He died from a massive heart attack at his partner Sylvia Tokarz’s home in Brighton at the age of 47.
The life-long Arsenal supporter followed in the footsteps of three generations of publicans when he started working at his father’s Green Man pub in Hoxton Street at the age of 16.
He worked there for eighteen years until it was sold in 2000. He then went on to work in the leisure industry on the Isle of Sheppey before returning to London in 2006 to help his mum run her pub City Retreat in the City of London.
He grew up in Orsman Road in Hoxton but attended school in Hornchurch.
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Between the ages of 10 and 16 he was a keen boxer and boxed for The Lion club in Pitfield Street, Hoxton and Repton boxing club in Bethnal Green.
His mother Carol Joyce, 67, of New Era Estate, Orsman Road in Hoxton described his sudden departure as “a real shock”, saying: “As a parent, you always think you will go first.
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“He was my best friend. For me, he was a shoulder to lean on. He always came up with a solution if I needed one.
“He was kind and thoughtful, hated bullies and always fought for the under-dog. He had time for everybody and always took time out to speak to people. He was a true good London man.
“He was passionate about pubs. He was a fourth generation publican. He lived his life to the full. That type of life is like being paid to have fun and socialise. It’s the nearest thing to being on stage as you have to be all things to all people.
“Being a publican does not lend itself to a family life. He always put work first until he met Sylvia five years ago.”
She described the love shown for him at the crematorium as “overwhelming”.
Mr Joyce is survived by his parents Archie and Carol, his brother Warren and his partner Sylvia Tokarz.
