Retired Boston Firefighter William J. "Billy" Boyle Jr., a lifelong resident of Charlestown, entered into eternal life on Wednesday, May 27, 2020 at his home in his beloved Charlestown surrounded by his loving family. He was 76 years of age.
Billy was born in Boston on August 27, 1943, a son of the late William J. Boyle and Marie A. (Mullaly) McGrath and her husband James L. "Butsy" McGrath. Billy grew up in Charlestown where he was educated at St. Mary's Parochial School and graduated as Class President from Charlestown High School in 1961. He enlisted into the United States Army on December 3, 1962 and served his country with honor and courage during the Vietnam Conflict. He was honorably discharged on December 2, 1964 with the rank of Private First Class. Billy was appointed to the Boston Fire Department on July 7, 1971, assigned to Engine Company 10 in downtown Boston and later transferred to Engine Company 50 in Charlestown and was then assigned to the C-11 Car and retired on July 8, 2002 following 32 years of dedicated service to the City of Boston. Billy was a member of The Boston Firefighters Union Local # 718. Billy was awarded The Walter Scott Medal for Valor on May 22, 1987 for his heroic efforts in dissuading and saving the life of a person threatening to take their own life in the early hours of October 9, 1986.
Billy is a member and Past Grand Knight of Bunker Hill Council # 62, Knights of Columbus, member and Past President of The Bunker Hill Associates, Past Commander of the J.W. Conway Post #26, American Legion, member of The Abraham Lincoln Post # 11, active member of Charlestown Against Drugs, a Steering Committee member of Charlestown Coalition, a Committee Member of Peter Looney Park, member of The Old Charlestown Schoolboys Association, weekly volunteer Lector at The Zelma Lacey House, longtime volunteer at The Chelsea Soldiers Home, Charlestown Live Host of the Bunker Hill Day Parade and honorary member of The Daughters of Isabella # 1.
Billy is the beloved husband of 54 years to Dolores "Dodie" (Capraro) Boyle. He is the devoted father of Christine O'Keefe and her husband Edward "Ned", William J. Boyle III and his wife Jennifer and Dolores "Dodie" Boyle and her fiancé Jason Cerendolo. He is the loving Papa to Brendan, Ella, Edward "Ned" Jr. and Nolan. He is the beloved brother of Rose Marie Ryan and her husband Joseph. He is the beloved brother-in-law of Joseph and Claire Capraro, Bea and her late husband John Walsh, Mary and Charlie McGonagle and Vito Capraro and his companion Susan Matarazzo. He is also survived by his many loving nieces and nephews.
Kindly make a memorial donation in Billy's name to either St. Francis De Sales Church Building Fund, 303 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129 or The Bunker Hill Council #62, Knights of Columbus Building Fund, 545 Medford, St. Charlestown, Mass. 02129.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend Billy's Funeral Mass on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at 11 A.M. in St. Francis De Sales Church, 313 Bunker Hill St. Charlestown. (MASKS ARE MANDATORY INSIDE CHURCH AND MUST ABIDE BY SOCIAL DISTANCING REGULATIONS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CHURCH.) His burial will be held at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford.
THERE ARE NO FUNERAL HOME VISITING HOURS.
FLOWERS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY THE CHURCH