MELBOURNE, Fla. – Harold L. Boyce, 81, passed peacefully Wednesday, June 7, 2006, at Holmes Regional Medical Center in Melbourne, Fla. Harold was born Dec. 14, 1924, in Brewer, to Norman and Isabel Boyce. He served in the U.S. Marines and fought in World War II, receiving the Purple Heart. He served in the border patrol and Immigration and Naturalization Service, INS, for 37 years. Highlights of his career included, captain of the first border patrol boat in Miami, received the attorney general’s award for Distinguished Service, received the U.S. Gold Lifesaving Medal for heroism while serving on the Coast Guard Cutter Hamilton during the Haitian Migrant Interdiction Operation in June 1984. He also served as assistant district director at INS Regional Office in Burlington, Vt. After retiring, he was made a special immigration officer and sent to Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Rome and Frankfurt, where he processed refugees from several countries. He was a member of The Hiram Lodge of South Portland, Mount Sinai Shriners of Montpelier, Vt., Florida Chapter of the 2nd Marine Division Association and the Retired Border Patrol Officers Association. Mr. Boyce is survived by his wife of 57 years, Joyce; brother, Frederick; four children, Steven Boyce of Miami, Nancy Fletcher of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Holly Leighton of Lincoln and Julie Damato of Cooper City, Fla.; four grandchildren, Vincent Corrado, Lisa Damato, Angela Corrado and Christine Damato. A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, July 17, at the First Congregational Church, Lincoln. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Red Cross or the U.S. Border Patrol Museum, P.O. Box 4767, El Paso, TX 79914-4767.
HAROLD L. BOYCE
