John C. Royce

John Royce, 73 of Rochester, NH (formerly of York, ME) passed away Monday February 22, 2021, after a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer's Dementia.  He was the beloved son of the late Ernest and Mary (McMahon) Royce. He was born in Springfield VT May 1, 1947 and grew up in Charlestown, NH where he attended local schools. He graduated from Charlestown High School in 1965, second in his class, and from there attended the University of New Hampshire until he entered the United States Air Force from 1966-1970.  While in the Air Force he attended Syracuse University where he was certified as a Russian linguist. He was stationed in Brindisi, Italy in reconnaissance.  After his service to his country he was employed for 32 years at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard as a nuclear electrician attaining a GS13 in shop 99 before retiring in 2010. John was a kind, loving and generous man.  He loved family gatherings and seeing old friends from Charlestown.  He loved to travel taking every opportunity to travel through Europe while stationed in Italy, and while in Scotland for the shipyard.  John loved to read, camp, hike, had a love for music and photography as well. In addition to his parents, John was predeceased by his first wife, Elaine Tibbets Royce. John is survived by Nancy (Regis) Royce, much-loved wife, Amy and John Noppenberger (stepdaughter/husband), Scott Nichols (stepson), Nichole and Fred Poisson (stepdaughter/husband). Grandchildren include Jack and Brynn Noppenberger and Eben and Vina Poisson. Other family members include, Bill Royce (brother) and Louise Gacek, Joe and Kathy (Royce) Mitchell (sister), Dave and Maryalice (Royce) Sosnoski (sister), Karen and Jim Royce (brother) and Tom Royce (brother) and Karen Hall, and many nieces and nephews. A celebration of John's life will be held on May 23 and burial on May 24 at New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Boscowen, NH.  Please visit Edgerly funeral home web page for full disclosures, www.edgerlyfh.com. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to The Alzheimer's Association, https://act.alz.org.