MONTREAL –
Anthony Boyce, a member of McGill University's 1987 national champion football team, died in his sleep at home in Dollard des Ormeaux, Que., on May 12. He was 53.
Boyce was a 5-foot-7, 164-pound defensive back on the Vanier Cup squad that was inducted to the McGill Sports Hall of Fame in
2008. He is the fourth member of that team's 57-man roster to pass away, along with receivers
Paul Moore and
Luc Thiffeault, in addition to linebacker
Robert Shulist.
"I remember him as a hard-working halfback who was a very positive individual," recalled
Mike Maurovich, who coached the McGill defensive backs in 1987 and currently serves as director of athletics at Selwyn House School in Westmount. "Anthony was a good football player in a multi-talented defensive backfield and it was tough for a young player to break into that veteran lineup we had but he showed up with a smile on his face, put time in the weight-room and came prepared to practice and play every single day."
Born in Montreal on Sept. 17, 1965, Boyce was raised in Chomedey, Que., where he attended Laval Catholic High School and played junior football with the Laval Scorpions. He enrolled at McGill University in 1986 and graduated in 1989 with a bachelor's degree in education. After graduation, he taught at various schools in greater Montreal, including Laval Senior Academy. In 1992, he returned to Laval Catholic as a physical education teacher.
The youngest son of
Yvonne Boyce (nee Greaves) and the late
Claude Dennis Boyce, he is survived by his sister Denise, brother Brian, niece and nephew Alero and Ebitimi Amaebi-Okoro, in addition to numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.
A celebration of his life reception will be held at Laval Junior Academy, 2323 Boul. Daniel-Johnson, Laval, Que., H7T 1H8 on
Sunday, May 26, 2019 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. A private service for family will be held on Monday, May 27, 2019. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made payable to "Sir Wilfrid Laurier School Board" for the benefit of the Laval Senior Academy athletics department.
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