Peter Joyce

1930 – 2025

Peter died peacefully at his home in Rockliffe Court on Saturday 26 June. He had been cared and supported by the Brothers and SJOG for 80 years, and at Rockliffe since it opened in October 1989.

Peter’s life in care began at the age of 14, in accommodation run by nuns, but his move a year later to being cared for by Brothers of the Hospitaller Order of Saint John of God was where he felt happier. His first home with the Brothers was at Barvin Park in Hertfordshire and then he moved to St. Cuthbert’s in Hurworth, near Darlington – both institutional models of care owned and managed by the Hospitaller Order.

From here he was able to watch his new home being built – a new model of care where people were able to live independently in self-contained accommodation with support on hand 24- hours a day, and a range of communal areas where all residents can come together if they wish. Peter loved the lounge – a shared area where he enjoyed chatting to his friends and ‘neighbours’.

Peter’s memories were long, but among his favourites was the day he got the key to his front door – the first time he’d ever had his own front door.

Peter’s story in his own words written last year:

My name is Peter Joyce; I am 94 years old and have been with Saint John of God since I was 14 years old. I have written a bit about my life to share with others. I hope you find it interesting.

I was born in Kings Road, Chelsea, London. I only know this because I was going to go to Lourdes and needed a passport. As I went as baby to Sandown, Isle of White to live with the nuns until I was school age.

I had no family, so I went to live in a convent called Saint Antony’s in Aldershot at the age of 4 years to attend school there.

I went to Saint Joseph Catholic School down the road. I had special teachers I don’t know why.

At the age of 14 years old, the boys who I lived with got jobs, but I didn’t. I asked the nuns, “what am I waiting for?” The nuns said, “we want to find somewhere special for you Peter.” That was their exact words. I didn’t get a job; I came to live with Saint John of God Brothers.

I waited for six months then Brother Senna Hartley came for me, and I went to Middlesex to live with them at a house for boys from 14 years. This then closed when I was 16 years old and I went to Barvin Park in Hertfordshire. Brother Matthew was the prior.

At the age of 22 years, I then moved to Saint John of God Hospital in Scorton. Brother Bernard who was the prior and there were lots of different Brothers.

I started to fall and they got more frequent. I went to Newcastle Hospital and eventually I couldn’t walk at all. Two days later a wheelchair came for me and I haven’t walked again.

I then moved to Saint Cuthbert’s Hospital in Hurworth, and I was living in ward called Saint Charles with a curtain round my cubical. It had its own church which I loved to go in daily.

It was my home and I drove around the grounds down in my wheelchair every day. I knew that Saint Cuthbert’s was closing and the Brothers were building a new building.

The building was called Rockliffe Court. I watched Rockliffe Court being built from the ground up.

When I went to look at my bungalow I thought ‘fab’!! As long as I could still go to church as that’s my priority.

Church is so very important to me; I belong to the Catholic Church. The mass and the sacraments, and I have a deep devotion to Mary the Mother of God. I feel close to Mary when I do my Rosary. I like to do it as much as possible, I love the Rosary as it brings me closer to God and keeps the devil away. I have always loved the church from being a little boy.

As I don’t have family I have never met anyone belonging to me, therefore the church, Saint John of God Brothers and the people of Rockliffe are my family. I belong to them; this is my home

Brother Michael is a great help and I appreciate him. He is like a brother to me and he helps me with everything.

When it is my time to meet God, the Saint John of God Brothers have made arrangements for my resting place to be within the Brothers’ cemetery at Scorton which I am very happy about.

Rest in peace Peter.

A note from Alison

“I have known Peter Joyce since I came home from college in 1984. He was living at St Cuthbert’s Hospital run by St John of God. We used to have games and parties at the hospital. Then we both moved to Rockliffe Court, and we were friends ever since. Once Peter broke his leg overnight and did not tell anyone. Kevin, the old manager was looking after us and he took him to get it mended. He still went on holiday, plaster and all. He was always up to going out, and to see the pantomime and have a good meal out. I will miss him, and I feel old as I am the last resident of the old tenants. Bye Peter”

June 2025