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STRATFORD BRAKETTES WILL HONOR THE LATE JOAN JOYCE ON SATURDAY
 May 11/June 23 - The Stratford Brakettes will recognize the lifetime friendships and accomplishments of Hall of Fame pitcher Joan Joyce on Saturday, June 25.
That is the date of the Joan Joyce Memorial “Pitch & Putt” Golf Tournament at the Short Beach Par-3 Golf Course. Later that evening at 7 p.m. the Stratford Brakettes will play a doubleheader against the Maryland Chill at Frank DeLuca Hall of Fame Field. She will be honored at both events.
For the past four years Joan participated in the tournament, which was named in her honor, by meeting and greeting the golfers as well as giving them helpful pointers. With her untimely passing March 26 at the age of 81, the event was renamed in her memory.
The mega-talented Joyce called Stratford, CT, and the Raybestos Brakettes softball team home for 17 years. Her final visit here was a year ago in June 2021, to take part in the Fourth Annual Brakettes/Joan Joyce “Pitch & Putt” Golf Tournament.
A Celebration of Joan's life took place on June 11 at the Delray Hyundai Deck of the Florida Atlantic University Football Stadium. Joan started the softball program at FAU and served as the Owls' head coach for the past 28 years. Joyce also was a member of the Ladies Professional Golfers Association for 19 years and coached the women's golf team at FAU.
 Younger brother Joseph Joyce, Jr., and sister Janis Joyce will be in attendance in Stratford. Joe will assume Joan's role of riding around the golf course greeting the participants. His daughters, Meghan Joyce Bolesta and Bridget Joyce Wright, will speak during the pre-game ceremonies at DeLuca Field, along with a few family friends and former Raybestos Brakettes teammates. Joe Joyce, also a pitcher in his youth, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
“This will not be a sad occasion, nor will it be a eulogy. This is a time for family and friends of Joan Joyce to exchange stories, remember, recognize, and reconnect,” said Brakettes General Manager Bob Baird. “It will give all of us the opportunity to reflect on what Joan meant to everyone and the sport of softball, which she influenced so greatly both in the history of Brakettes Softball and the development of the game worldwide.”
There is nothing official planned in her hometown of Waterbury, CT, thus the reason for conducting the event in Stratford. The golf tournament opens at 8 a.m. and there are still openings for anyone interested in participating or purchasing a golf sign in Joan's honor. For additional information or to make reservations call Bob Baird at (203) 218-1066, or email, brakettesgm@gmail.com.
Starting at 6 p.m. Saturday night the gates to DeLuca Field will open. The Joyce family will have a special area set aside for family friends, former players, and area fans to say hello. There is no admission charge to the games since the Joyce Family has paid for that. However, if anyone would like to make a donation to honor Joan, they may do so.
Beginning at 7:00 p.m. a few family friends and former Raybestos Brakettes teammates will speak. Some of the speakers will be Joe's daughters, Meghan Joyce Bolesta and Bridget Joyce Wright, Donna Lopiano, Willie Roze, Lou Albrecht, Peggy Kellers, Diane Davidson, Debbie Chin, Linda Finelli and Elaine Biercevicz Piazza.
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