Labor advocate Father Ed Boyle dies
Labor movement loses true champion

On Nov. 13, Father Ed Boyle died of cancer, leaving the labor movement in Massachusetts with the loss of one of its great advocates and champions. Father Boyle was a true champion of human rights, workers rights and the dignity of all in our society, as well as a true friend to nurses and the MNA.

Whenever MNA nurses found themselves in a struggle, Father Boyle could be counted on to stand with us and to use his influence and voice to support our cause. When the nurses of Carney Hospital waged their strike in 1986 Father Boyle was there, supporting them on the picket line and advocating for them in the community. It was the same for the St. Vincent Hospital nurses in 2000 and for the Brockton Hospital nurses in 2001 when they waged their historic strikes for safe patient care.

When nurses at Pembroke Hospital were attempting to organize a union and held a candlelight vigil, Father Boyle was there to hold vigil with them. If you speak with any union and any groups fighting for worker justice, you will no doubt here similar stories about this great and courageous leader. Father Boyle was the second born of six children, all surviving; Jack &Dolores Boyle, Suzanne (Boyle) Doherty, Marylee (Boyle) & Bob Pelosky, Patricia (Boyle) & Jack Coughlan, and Gerard & Barbara Boyle. His surviving nuclear family in addition incorporates 21 nieces & nephews, who with spouses and children total 71 immediate loving and appreciative persons. Father Boyle grew up in Belmont and was a 1949 graduate of Belmont High School. He earned a B.A. in economics from Dartmouth in 1953 and MBA from Amos Tuck School in 1954.

Having attended Dartmouth on a “Hollaway Plan National Navy Scholarship,” he was obligated to the U.S. Navy for three years and served as a supply officer stationed principally off the Antarctic in Dunedin, New Zealand. Following the Navy, Ed worked for two years in New York City, leaving to enter the Jesuits.

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