Joseph Boylan

Joseph Kevin Boylan, 74, of Sarasota, Fla., passed away July 17, 2025, surrounded by his loving family and listening to his favorite Irish ballads.

Kevin was born March 17, 1951, to Joseph and Mary (Jewell) Boylan. Originally from Miners Mills, he lived in Kingston until 2015. Kevin attended Wyoming Valley West High School, where he excelled on the basketball court and baseball field — but more importantly, met his devoted wife of 52 years, Janet (Mazur) Boylan.

After attending East Stroudsburg University, Kevin began a 20-year career in commercial lending before managing Saturn of Wyoming Valley and Valley Chevrolet. He served on Kingston Council and was executive director of the Luzerne County Transportation Authority. In 1995, Kevin founded The Boylan Foundation to serve local families in need.

With his larger-than-life personality, Kevin established several of the Wyoming Valley's most popular bars and restaurants. The Locker Room, Boylan's Pub, Thirty-One Lake Street and Kevin's Bar & Restaurant were not just businesses — they were his passion and the backdrop for countless family and community memories.

Kevin's Irish wit and fondness for a microphone made him the perfect toastmaster for many banquets and celebrations, most notably The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Dinner. After one event, a local newspaper affectionately referred to Kevin as a "rib tickler"— something his family never let him forget.

Family was everything to Kevin. He was the ringleader of his six siblings, organizing trips to Ireland, Thanksgiving football games and Christmas tree hunts. He'll be remembered for his storytelling, infectious laughter and legendary St. Paddy's Day birthday parties. (Doesn't everyone get The Wolfe Tones to play for their birthday?)

Kevin's pride and joy were his three children and five grandchildren. He loved them deeply and boasted of their accomplishments often. He celebrated the good times wholeheartedly, but more importantly, offered an ear or a shoulder during life's tougher moments. He shared with his family his love of Philly sports and Notre Dame football, and he cherished gathering everyone together to watch the games.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Janet, of Sarasota, Fla.; daughter, Shannon (Angelo) Medico, Forty Fort, Pa.; sons, Joseph (Lindsay) Boylan, Harveys Lake, Pa.; Clancy (Abigail) Boylan, Philadelphia, Pa.; grandchildren, Kevin Charles, Quinn, Madeline, Bridie, and Cillian; sisters Rosalie (Frank) Baur, Forty Fort, Pa., and Margaret Ann (Andy) McDermott, Fairport, N.Y.; numerous nieces and nephews; and his best bud, Midleton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Mary Boylan; brother, Patrick; and sisters, MaryJo, Elizabeth, and Catherine.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Hugh B. Hughes Funeral Home. Both calling hours and the funeral will be held in the Chapel of Christ the King at King's College, 29 W. North St., Wilkes-Barre.

Calling hours will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Friday, Aug. 1, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 3 p.m. If you cannot attend the service but would like to celebrate Kevin's life, please join the family afterward at Murphy's Bar in Swoyersville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Kevin's name to Wyoming Valley Challenger Baseball, PO Box 1714, Wilkes-Barre, PA 18703.

For information or to send the family a condolence, visit www.hughbhughes.com.