David Boyce

David Dermot Boyce (28 February 1947 – 2 July 2025) passed away peacefully in Wellington with his family by his side. Husband to Yvonne. For 53 years we have loved and laughed together on our adventures. You are my rock.Loved and loving Dad of Mark & Jen, Dyani, Jolene & Brad, and Maire.  Adored Grandpa to Myles & Cleo, Nico & Zoe, Isla & Emilia. Loved by Hannah, Sasha, and Ashley.Boycee to the Kauaeranga Valley crowd and Mr Boyce to the students he taught over 45 years. We’ll miss him deeply, remember him often, and love him always.

TRIBUTES

Maureen Legge

So sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He was a lovely man and wonderful teacher. I have fond memories of standing at the spit with him watching the meat cook. Thinking of you Yvonne and your family. Arohanui Maureen Legge.

Ewan Grant-Mackie

Thank you Dave for being such a patient and supportive HOD and friend. Whether using electron men walking up uneven stairs to explain electron configurations (which I still use in class 36 years later) or supporting me when I had petitions signed by students against me, you were there. I was in awe of your spin bowling, and of your sense of adventure – teaching in Kazakhstan?!
To Yvonne and the family – kia kaha and know that he was loved, and thank you for the opportunity to reconnect with him recently.

Hinu Abraham

We had our moments Dave, me Sport co-ordinator, you TIC Cricket….but have fond thoughts of you and your whanau. To Yvonne and whanau my deepest condolences 😔Hinu (Linda Abraham)

John and Trish Uffindell

Yvon̈ne and familly.
We are saddened to hear of Dave’s passing
He will be missed by many.Apologies for not a personal reply but away from NZ at moment. We are thinking of you all.
John and Trish

Ian and Marlene Little

We are very sad to hear that Dave has died. We have so many happy memories of family times spent together when you were in the UK. Many of those were at Sedgwick cricket ground where Dave was an enthusiastic member of the team. We loved our time with you in Singapore, not least the Singapore slings !! We send our love and sympathy to Yvonne and all your family.
We will certainly watch the funeral on line. From Ian, Marlene and family.

Dennis Spence

Well Dave, I wasn’t expecting to be writing one of these for you just yet, nor was I convinced it wouldn’t be the other way around, but things happen and I’m sad I’m unable to attend the memorial to you in Wellington. Thanks for your friendship and support over the years. As fellow HOD’s of major departments in Thames High School for many years I know a few students (and maybe colleagues!) labelled us as ‘The Grumpy Old Men’ but we weren’t really, enjoying many laughs, Neil Young (but not Johnny Cash!) and more than a few beers and meals over the years. I did curse you at times when things got tough in Kazakhstan after you managed to ‘convince’ me to join you over there. But you, Yvonne and Mairie helped me keep my sanity during those years of apartment living on the school campus as we tried to make sense of school life and in the end, I wouldn’t have missed the experience for worlds. And thanks for sharing a little of your early teaching life through your writing in recent times. To Yvonne, Mark, Dyani, Jolene and Maire and your respective families: I’m sure your support for each other will help you get through these difficult times. Dave was a kind man of real integrity.

Dennis Spence

Dave, Thanks for all the support at Thames High School and more than a few beers over the years I was at the school. As two ‘older school’ HOD’s more than once…or even twice… or …… I heard us described as ‘The Grumpy Old Men! Of course we weren’t – not really! Musically, I never quite got Johnny Cash the way you did but we shared Neil Young. I did curse you more than once when things got tough in Kazakhstan, but many thanks for getting me over there and for the support you and Yvonne provided through the apartment living times on campus and trying to understand the school. I wouldn’t have missed it for worlds. Thanks again. To Yvonne, and to Mark, Dyani, Jolene and Maire and your own families – I’m sorry I can’t be there today in Wellington but my thoughts are with you all over this sad time. Dave was a kind man of real integrity and I am glad I was able to claim I was a friend of his.

Debbie Driver

Dear Yvonne and whanau..thinking of you all at this time as we remember the golden years at Thames High School with exceptional role models like your Dave. As a younger teacher, Dave was so patient and positive as we all tried to navigate through the beginner teacher years. An inspiration to me and to the students he taught. Our love to you..Debbie and Stephen Driver.

Barry Wither

Hello Yvonne& Mark et al. The years have flown by and we lost you somewhere! Last seen at that coffee shop at Homezone Mairangi Bay 15 years ago perhaps and a complete coincidence that was too. I have 2 very clear images of Dave 1970-1980:-
1. Holding a beer glass with froth to be lick lipped . But far more importantly that moment was …..
2. After he had a few wickets , having bowled spinners of several varieties. Then the appeal to the ump with the most repeatable cheeky grin to follow. I can see that grin today!
There was a lot of Marist cricket played .
Also a lot of Rugby watched not to mention pacers too.
Please give Dave a great send off . I do wish I was there and please visit with us in Auckland if you are up here.
Barry Wither.

Sacha Willetts

We’re so sorry to hear about Mr Boyce’s passing and especially thinking about our friend, Jolene, at this time. It is bringing back a lot of fond memories from Thames High. He was always such a supportive teacher, encouraging us to go further than we had thought possible. Sending all our aroha to the whānau.
Sacha, Helen, Sarah N, Kelly, Sarah G, Sarah B, Natalie, Sarah C.

Br Douglas Dawick Dawick

I’ve known David ever since teaching him at Xavier College in my first year teaching. He was a good student, even better lock forward in our unbeaten rugby team and Joyce and the whole family became close friends. I had intended coming to the funeral today but something has cropped up and I can’t attend. I hope to catch it on the live stream. I’ll see B. O’S., Yvonne, about our getting together for another lunch. Again, sorry for not being able to be with you today. God bless you and the whole family at this sad time.

Hannah Gray

Dave you are one of the most wonderful humans to have blessed this planet, I’m so grateful to have had some time with you over the years. Rest easy, I hope there’s chooks in heaven. Much love, your daughter Hannah, and your grandchildren Sasha and Ashley xx

Grace Lockwood

Rest in perfect peace Dave ❤️
A steady loving father figure in my young childhood days, driving Maire and I around to our sports nearly every night of the week, and Soccer every Saturday, always full of humour and a twinkle in his eye. Forever grateful. I have endless cherished childhood memories at the Kauaeranga Homestead, bantam chooks, Blue the dog, the warm hearth created by Yvonne and Dave will forever be etched in my heart. Big hugs Maire, Yvonne and the whaanau. Love always, Grace and whanau xxxx

Eric Bowater

When Dave joined us at Thames High School in 1981 as PR1 in Chemistry I found him to be an excellent teacher at all class levels, a good participant in the life of the school, and a man of high integrity. He succeeded me as HOD Science when I departed at the end of 1987. For several years we would see him when visiting at prizegivings for the scholarship award for our son Stephen, but after that I lost touch with him, although I knew he had moved to Wellington. Farewell, good man!

Jeannie apthorp

Dear Yvonne and family,
Such fond memories of David as a memorable teacher and supporter for so many . Arohanui, Jeannie, Tim, Leith and Bryley Apthorp.

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