Born in Philadelphia in 1931 to James Alexander (Cork, Ireland) and Marie Boyle (nee Gallagher) of Philadelphia, Jim had an active childhood with two brothers Donald (MaryRose) and Tom (Barb). Jim married Peggy Boyle (nee Margaret Anne Walker) on February 5, 1955 and they enjoyed 64 years of fruitful marriage together; Jim and Peggy had 7 children and they always provided a loving home for their family.

In 1963 the growing Boyle family (then with kids Jim, Ed, Joe, and Peggy) moved to Succasunna, NJ. Then came Maria, Chris and Bob. And what a tight-knit community it proved to be with active church life at St Therese’s Roman Catholic Church and in the neighborhood full of kids. The family participated in regular block parties filled with food, kids, horseshoes, and great conversations and perhaps a keg of beer, and birch beer for the kids. (It was kept cool in a cement hod with ice.) The horseshoe games were quite competitive – even when it got dark the other men would puff on their cigarettes and place them on the pin for an illuminated target. The Boyle’s regular Bridge nights filled the house with guests, snacks, and a cloud of blue smoke. It was a good life for the kids watching and learning about community, the neighborhood men playing basketball games on Saturday morning, us kids shagging golf balls for him (free labor), bowling leagues, softball games, and volunteering at Church Bingo on Monday nights (we especially remember the leftover Verrilli’s pizza.)

Jim earned his BS degree in Chemical Engineering from Villanova University in 1954. He enjoyed a long and successful career in the chemical industry working for BASF, Foster Wheeler and Allied Chemical, retiring in 2003 in his mid-70’s. Jim loved his job and was ready to keep going and going until BASF decided to move out of Mount Olive, at which point Jim decided to stay in Succasunna. He did spend some time back and forth from Louisiana/New Orleans, with BASF, before retiring, which afforded some memorable Mardi Gras fun and enjoying many Hurricanes at Pat O’briens together. He traveled extensively during his career, which took him to many different locations in the US and around the world, including spending time in Panama with the ROTC while in college. A favorite location for Jim and Peggy was Paris, France. He also loved going to live shows, earlier at the Paper Mill Playhouse and more recently at the Mayo Theater in Morristown. He and mom especially loved visiting Broadway. Les Mis was one of their all-time favorites.

Being very patriotic, he loved God, America and wholesome family values.

He practiced a purposeful life and being a good neighbor.

Jim also maintained lifelong friendships with many of his colleagues. One relationship was expressed by Don Fair’s daughter Beverly: she relayed that her dad Don was an only child, never had a brother, but if he did, he would have liked it to be Jim Boyle. He must have been close, who else would lend his Cape Cod house to a family of 9.

Among Jim’s many friends and acquaintances, Jim so loved times shared with John Evangelista, a kindred spirit, also an Engineer and a Knights of Columbus member. Neighborhood friends Ray and Connie Feeney, Steve Summerer and Josie were always there to shovel out and stop in on occasion to check on Dad. Jim also liked and highly respected his brothers-in-law Ed and Ber Walker, Ed Joscelyne, and Vince Ferrello who served in the war, all remembered as good uncles. More recently, Jim resurrected a Bridge group, meeting monthly, with Dessalee, Willadeen, and Robin.

Jim was also happy to hitch a ride with Joan Murphy to the Roxbury Senior Center Meetings and activities.

Jim loved the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, both in Morristown and in NYC in earlier times with wife Peggy and son Ed. The music of the Clancy Brothers with Tommy Makem filled our ears when we were growing up.

Jim, was proud to be, that red haired lad with ancestral ties to Donegal.

We can never forget how much Jim loved his cute, little Lucy, a silky, black-haired Dachshund rescue from Puerto Rico, who brought him so much joy.

Jim was predeceased by his beloved wife Margaret (Peggy) Boyle in 2019 and by his sons Edward in 2011 and Robert in 2021. He is survived by five remaining children: James A (and Loretta) Boyle of Allamuchy; Joseph (and Margaret) Boyle of Marquette, MI; Peggy (and Michael) Davo of Morristown; Maria (and Peter) Dankens of Andover, MA; and Christopher (and Karen) Boyle of Flanders. He also leaves his 14 grandchildren: Jackie, Tricia, James, Dan, Johanna, Sue, Olivette, Theo, Charlie, Catherine, Claire, Chris, Shane, and Scott; and nine great-grandchildren: Trevor, Ryan, Hadley, Gwen, Gabe, Kate, Evie, Jim, and Nate. He is also survived by his brother, Tom, of Ocean City, MD, and many nephews and nieces. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Friends and relatives may visit at the Davis & Hepplewhite Funeral Home,96 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 973-584-7264 (davishepplewhitefh.com) on Thursday (January 13th) from 4 – 8 pm. The Funeral Liturgy will be held on Friday, 10 am, at St. Therese R C Church in Succasunna. The interment will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Chester. A link to Zoom will be posted, as well, for the Viewing and Mass at the church on Friday.