Mr. Joce Leung-Soon

DOWNPATRICK lost one of the most endearing and highly respected members of the caring and banking community with the passing of Joce Leung-Soon just before Christmas at the tender age of 54.

Joce passed away on December 10 after a long illness, an illness he fought with great dignity, fortitude, resilience and tenacity before being called home.

Born on January 11, 1957, on the island of Mauritius, Joce was one of five children. He was predeceased by his Maman, and is survived by his Papa, sisters Francoise, Josiane, Janine and brother Steve.

Joce was educated on his beautiful tropic island home before he moved to London in 1981 where he attended college to study accountancy. Joce being Joce then decided midway through his studies that he would like a change of career and switched allegiances to nursing.

He qualified as a registered mental health nurse and immediately took up employment as a staff nurse at Warlingham Hospital in Croydon. He remained there for three years and during this time he met and fell in love with his soul mate and love of his life, Alwyn Killen from Downpatrick.

The couple were married in Downpatrick on July 30, 1987 and after deciding to set up home in the county town, they had two beautiful children, Claudia and Nicole. In 1989 Joce, who had a wicked sense of humour and a bag full of one-liners, again succumbed to his passion for accountancy and took up a position with the Ulster Bank, where he remained for 10 years before going back to nursing.

His calling to the field of caring took him to Lagan Valley Hospital, Downshire Hospital and King’s Castle Nursing home in Ardglass where he worked until he took ill in 2009.

When not involved in family activities, which always came first, Joce loved reading autobiographies and solving suduko puzzles. He loved all sorts of music, but he had a special affinity for Elvis Presley and all that he stood for.

He was also a mean guitar player and singer, and his unique interpretation of Irish dancing was a joy to behold by those who were privileged to be given a display!

He was also an avid amateur gardener and tended his own vegetable plot where he grew potatoes, parsley, chives and carrots, a roost of chickens were next on his list.

He was a keen badminton player in his youth and liked to keep himself physically fit, even when he wasn’t well and loved nothing more than taking his dog Sasha for a walk on Ballyhornan Beach.

A devout Catholic, who paid special devotion to the Divine Mercy, Joce passed away at home surrounded by his loving family. A testament to his popularity was the extraordinary number of people who called at his home and who attended the funeral mass in Saul.

Joce is survived by his wife, Alwyn, daughters, Claudia and Nicole, his Papa Reynolds, sisters, Francoise, Josiane and Janine, brother, Steve and wide family circle.

Joce’s month’s mind mass will be held in Saul on Sunday, January 15, at 9.30am.