Daniel Boyle Jr.

Daniel Patrick Boyle, Jr.

1938 - 2015 STONINGTON, CT. Daniel Patrick Boyle Jr., of passed away on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015 at one of his favorite places. He is survived by his five beautiful children, daughters; Corinne, Maura, and Kathleen and sons; Daniel and Patrick. The eldest of five, Daniel was born Dec. 26, 1938 and is predeceased by his parents, Loretta and Daniel and his beloved brother, Michael whom he called "Joe". Daniel Boyle was a man of many passions and interests. During his lifetime he was a lifeguard, a gas station attendant, a marine, a teacher, a fisherman, a harbormaster, a carpenter, an apiarist, a gardener, an athlete, a boat builder, a dancer, a gourmet, a swimmer, a companion, friend, and father. Each role he filled throughout his life contributed to his legacy of service. Daniel was born and raised in Pittsfield, Mass. As a young man, Daniel worked at his father's gas station, as well as a lifeguard at Pontoosuc Lake in Pittsfield. He graduated from St. Joseph High School as a successful football player and married his high school sweetheart, Valerie Hurley before joining the Marine Corp. He relocated his family to Parris Island, NC for basic training. During his time in the Marine Corp he recognized the value of an education saying, "If I wanted to ever be the one giving the orders, I needed to go back to school". After finishing his honorable military service, he moved his family back to Massachusetts where he earned his degree from North Adams State College. After spending some time as a Guidance Counselor he took advantage of the GI bill and went to graduate school for Deaf Education at Canisius College in Buffalo, NY. In 1969 Daniel moved to Connecticut to work at the Mystic Oral School, he spent his summers serving as a seasonal Park Ranger for Acadia National Park in Bar Harbor, ME. In 1979 Daniel married Mary Fort, a lively spirit who shared his belief of serving the greater good. Shortly afterwards, Boyle ran for State Representative in a very close election. With the closing of the Oral School, Daniel started a new career as a commercial fisherman while continuing to teach. He captained the boat the "Mickey B" and ran the Stonington Town Dock, eventually becoming Harbor Master. Ultimately, Daniel returned full time to teaching, working in the Canterbury School System as a teacher for the deaf until 1998 when he retired. In his retirement Daniel rediscovered his passion for swimming, spending several hours each day in the Westerly, RI YMCA. In 2007 the lifeguards at this YMCA saved his life and he celebrated his health the following spring when he swam in a triathlon with his family. He continued to help others, teaching children and adults how to swim. When asked about what he loved most, Daniel would say, "All of my children are beautiful". Daniel's legacy of service towards others will be carried on by his five beautiful children and four grandchildren. Contributions in his memory may be made to the Westerly YMCA. A Funeral mass will be held at St Mary Church 95 Main St. Stonington on Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 12 p.m. Burial will be private.