Obituary of Thomas Joseph Boyle

Thomas Joseph "Joe" Boyle Jr., age 73 of Dallas, peacefully passed away surrounded by family on Monday, May 13, 2013 in the Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit of Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre. Joe was born November 19, 1939 in Wilkes-Barre and was the son of the late Thomas J. and Anna Maria Boback Boyle. He graduated from Central Catholic High School, Kingston and attended the Wyoming Seminary School of Business. Mr. Boyle was a sales representative in the food industry for thirty years and was also a passionate equestrian, having competed in and judged horse shows in both the United States and Europe for more than 50 years. He was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association, Ponies of America, National Pinto Association, and American Miniature Horse Association. He owned and operated Boyle's 7-B Tack Shop while also dedicating his time to training horses and teaching others to ride, including his children and grandchildren. He served for eight years as mayor of Harvey's Lake and was a veteran of the National Guard. A man of devout faith, Joe was active in his parish, Our Lady of Victory Church, Harvey's Lake. Joe was an avid collector of historic and Native American artifacts, sharing his knowledge and passion for history with his family on frequent trips to Gettysburg, as well as other historical sites. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Anne G. Boyle, brother, William Boyle, and brother, Roger Boyle. Surviving are his children: Thomas J. Boyle III and his wife Gina of Sweet Valley, Mark Boyle of Cedarville, NJ, Christopher Boyle and his wife Sandra of Shavertown, William Boyle of Harvey's Lake, Molly Banks and her husband Brian, of Dallas, Joanne Lauckner and her husband Kevin, of Cincinnati, OH; 14 grandchildren; brother, Bruce Boyle and his wife Beverly of Dallas, aunts and uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Friday at 9:45 AM from the Curtis L. Swanson Funeral Home, Inc., corners of routes 29 and 118, Pikes Creek with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 AM from Our Lady Of Victory Church, Harvey's Lake, with Rev. Daniel Toomey officiating. Interment will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Carverton. Friends may call Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home. Online condolences can be made at clswansonfuneralhome.com The family would like to thank the nurses, doctors, and staff of the Hospice Community Care Inpatient Unit of Geisinger South Wilkes-Barre for their kind and professional care. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Medical Oncology Association, Prescription Assistance Fund, 382 Pierce St., Kingston, PA 18704-5535.