By Alice Boyce, Widow of Capt. Randy S. Boyce
In honor of my late husband, Capt. Randy S. Boyce and in celebration of what would have been his 50th Birthday today, September 30th, I would like to honor him by encouraging ALL firefighters to have an annual lung X-Ray. It is extremely important to bring awareness to this issue and to celebrate a wonderful man, career and faithful firefighter, husband and father whose life ended much too such due to pulmonary (lung) fibrosis.
Randy served the City of Atlanta for over 26 years. He died three weeks after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Early diagnosis of this disease could have prevented the death of my husband; this disease is treatable. Research suggests that inhaling toxins can lie dormant and can manifest many years later. With early detection, my husband would be alive today. My goal is to spread awareness, to prevent untimely deaths, if for only one person, among those individuals who put their lives on the line daily to serve the citizens of Georgia and throughout
the United States.
Randy was a kind, compassionate, intelligent, funny and warm person. He was loved, respected and admired by all who knew him. He was also an incredible husband, father, brother, son and friend. Randy leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten; so let’s honor him and celebrate his life, which was not lived in vain, to save the lives of as many firefighters as we possibly can.