William L. Boyan Jr. of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and Boston and Nahant, Massachusetts passed away on Sunday, September 29, 2024, with his family by his side.
Bill grew up in Medford, Massachusetts, where he attended Medford Junior High School where he met his wife, Gail (nee Nicholson), the love of his life. The two attended Medford High School together and found that they could not be apart. Bill attended Harvard University, just down the road from Tufts where Gail was studying. After graduating from college, the two were married and moved to Nahant where they raised their five children. They enjoyed 61 years of marriage.
Bill began his career as a management trainee at John Hancock Life Insurance Company where he worked for 40 years, ultimately serving as the company’s President and Chief Operating Officer until his retirement. Bill supported numerous charities and organizations in Boston, primarily focusing on children and education. Bill was a member of the Board of Trustees of Boston Children’s Hospital for 27 years and served as Chairman of the Board and at one point, as its Chief Executive Officer. For 15 years, Bill was a member of the Boston School Committee, serving as the Chairman of Boston’s Plan For Excellence for all Boston Public Schools.
He was also a member of the Board of Directors for State Street Corporation’s Master Funds for 19 years, a Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust for 13 years, a Presidential appointee to the National Alliance of Businessmen, and a member of the Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society.
Boston Children’s Hospital established an annual award, The William L. Boyan Award, recognizing a Boston-area community organization, community health center, advocacy group or school that demonstrates excellence in improving the health and well-being of children and families. In 2004, he was recognized on the Massachusetts State House floor as a true public servant, “Mr. Boyan has lent his wisdom and expertise to many initiatives throughout Massachusetts. He was appointed by the Mayor of Boston to serve on the Boston School Committee, and his commitment to the city's children and their education is well-known. His passion for excellence and his philanthropic efforts on behalf of the schools have made a real difference in the lives of children in every neighborhood of the city. Under Boyan’s leadership, Children's Hospital has been a leading voice on behalf of children's health care needs. Mr. Boyan's dedication has been an essential part of the hospital's success.”
Bill’s many professional and charitable endeavors brought him great satisfaction, though his most rewarding role in life was his dedication to his family. A loving husband, father and grandfather, with his family he shared his passion of boating, fishing, skiing and golf. As a true Massachusetts native, he was a lifelong fan of the Red Sox, Patriots, Bruins and Celtics. He loved to travel the world with Gail, exploring cultural and culinary delights.
Bill recently was preceded in Heaven by his beloved Gail (June 2024), as well as his father, William L. Boyan, his mother, Mildred Wadsworth Boyan, and his sister, Constance Boyan. Bill is survived by his children: Claudia, Craig (Elise), William (III)(Sara), Scott (Maria), and Todd (Christine). He is also survived by his 11 grandchildren: John (Jamie), Hailey, Grace, Alessandra, Carly, Mia, Sofia, William, Scott, Rachel, and Jack.
Bill will be remembered and revered at his Catholic funeral Mass at 10am on Friday, October 4, 2024, at St. Joseph Church, located at 118 High Street in Medford. Interment will follow Mass at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Relatives and friends are welcome to attend. Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, October 3 from 4pm to 7pm at Beals-Geake-Magliozzi Funeral Home located at 29 Governors Avenue in Medford. For additional information, please visit www.magliozzifuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, please consider giving to Boston Children’s Hospital. Contributions can be made at bostonchildrens.org
. In the memo line, please include “William L. Boyan Jr.”