11.15.2007

Labor Advocate Father Ed Boyle Dies
Labor Movement Loses True Champion

On Tuesday, 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 Massachusetts Nurses Association. 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, Massachusetts and was a 1949 graduate of Belmont High School. He earned BA 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 US Navy for three years as a supply officer stationed principally off the Antarctic in Dunedin, NZ. Following the Navy, Ed worked for two years in New York City, leaving to enter The Jesuits.

Services for Father Boyle

Wake: Campion Center Chapel
319 Concord Rd.
Weston, MA
(See driving directions below, also available on Google Maps)

When: Sunday, November 18, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. (prayer service 4:30)

Funeral Mass: St. Angela Church
1548 Blue Hill Ave.
Mattapan, MA
(See driving directions below, also available on Google Maps)

When: Monday, Nov. 19, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Following the funeral, interment will be at the Campion Center

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ed’s memory to:
Campion Jesuit Community,
319 Concord Rd.
Weston, MA 02193

Driving Directions

Campion Center: from Route 128; Exit 26, to Route 20
West -1 mile, bear right onto Boston Post Rd. in/thru Weston Center.
8/10 of mile after entering Post Rd. (immediately after town center),
go right onto Concord Rd., follow 1.5 miles to Campion Center. Car parking on left across Rd. Enter up steps to right of Chapel.

St. Angela: From West & South of Boston, use Route 128
Exit 2B, (Canton MA) Route 138, North 4.4 miles into Route 28 merge,
continue North to St. Angela on right 4.9 miles total from Rt. 128.

From North of Boston, use I-93 (Southeast Expressway), to Exit 15 –Columbia Rd, West (OPPOSITE /away from JFK Library), thru Upham Corner approx. 2 miles to Blue Hill Ave.; turn left (South) on Route 28 follow approx. 3 miles to St. Angela on left.

From St. Angela to Campion Center burial: Leaving church go left, South on Route 28 (Blue Hill Ave) approx. ½ mile to merge into Route 138 South to Route 128; Exit right North toward Dedham, Waltham (signage North /South here can be very confusing—you must travel North on compass), toward Mass Turnpike( I-90). 15 miles total travel on 128 to Exit 26, Route 20 West to Campion Center as above.