Salem Hospital held a retirement reception Monday for William Joyce, a security guard for 33 years.

It was a little different from most farewells. City Councilor Joan Lovely, whose sister works at the hospital, was there with a citation from the city. And there were surprise visitors — a gang from the Police Department who came with a plaque.

Joyce has been close to the police since the day in 1956 when he arrived in Salem from Limerick, Ireland, where he attended the same school as "Angela's Ashes" author Frank McCourt.

On one of his first days in Salem, Joyce went "legging," or walking, as they say in Ireland. It started to snow, and the more he walked, the more lost he got. Finally, he found himself staring up at the old Salem High (now Collins Middle School) looking at the strange Roman numerals on the building — MCMVIII.

"I didn't have a clue what that was," he said.

Lost and temporarily bewildered by his new country, Joyce turned to see a car approach with blue flashing lights. It was a police car, and inside was the late Capt. William Jennings, who rolled down his window.

"I'm kind of misplaced," Joyce said.

Hearing the brogue, Jennings threw open the door, told Joyce to climb inside and gave him a ride home. It was the start of a beautiful friendship.

In the crowd of officers Monday who came to pay tribute to Joyce was Detective William Jennings, the son of the man who extended a hand so many years ago.