Thomas William Boyle

Thomas W. Boyle, 87, of Zinnia Drive, Cranston, passed away at home on Tuesday, December 30, 2025. He was the beloved husband of the late Eleanor L. (Clay) Boyle.

Born in North Attleborough, MA, he was the devoted son of the late John and Rachael (Donly) Boyle and loyal brother to the late Jack and Ralph Boyle.

Throughout his years, Thomas lived a quiet life of concern for others, honor, generosity, and goodness. He was especially proud of his Irish heritage with the Boyle family hailing from Donegal. He loved his brothers and, always responsible and mature for his age, was known to keep a watchful eye on them. He took great care of his mom too (after losing his father at a young age) and would be a loyal care giver to her later in her life.

Thomas proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam era earning the rank of a Master Sergeant and medals for good conduct and rifle marksmanship. He later served in the Rhode Island Army Reserves for twenty plus years, protecting those close to home. During the infamous Blizzard of '78, for example, Thomas transported people to emergency services and obtained resources in an Army deuce and a half (which he drove expertly). Altogether, his military career spanned thirty years and demonstrated his willingness to work hard and sacrifice to protect others and the freedoms he treasured deeply in his heart.

Thomas was a caring and committed father to his children, Shawn and Karen, and later in life to his stepchildren, Carol and Pamela. He actively taught the values of service to others, staying true to family and friends, and not taking ourselves too seriously. He always led by example. He showed up in all the ways he should as a father. He provided for his family in his work as a banker for thirty years with Hospital Trust and later Bank of America. He loved to joke and kid around with others too, as he had a terrific sense of humor, and cultivated the same traits in his children. Gladly would he hear and joyfully would he share a humorous story with an epic punchline. He had an understated chuckle and bright smile.

Thomas was blessed with a loving marriage of over forty years to his wife, Eleanor. In their retirement, the two of them enjoyed activities such as camping during the summer in Connecticut, vegetable gardening, and hosting family holiday celebrations. He relished visits with his grandchildren and, most recently, his four great grandchildren. He loved Eleanor's cooking and baking. They had matching leather reclining chairs in their bonus room and enjoyed watching tv and simply being together. Devoted to his wife, Thomas did his utmost to care for Eleanor during her valiant battle against Alzheimer's Disease. His steadfast selflessness and independent spirit made him a force to be reckoned with when it came to protecting his loved ones.

He is survived by his children, Shawn T. Boyle and his wife Julie Lima Boyle of Cranston and Karen L. Lian and her husband John of Coventry; two stepchildren, Carol Russell and her husband Michael of Cranston and Pamela Marciano of North Scituate, RI; four grandchildren, Khristopher, Jason, and William Russell and Kayla Reall, as well as four great-grandchildren, Oliver, Camden, Alessi, and Rosalyn.

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. in the Barrett and Cotter Funeral Home, 1328 Warwick Avenue, Warwick, RI, followed by a Funeral Service at 11:00 a.m. Interment with Military Honors will be in Highland Memorial Park Cemetery, Johnston, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas' memory to the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude’s Place, Memphis, TN, 38105 (www.stjude.org) or the Rhode Island Shriners Hospital Charitable Trust, One Rhodes Place, Cranston, RI, 02905 would be appreciated, as Thomas greatly supported these organizations. Information and online condolences at barrettandcotter.com.