Published in the October 3, 2017 edition.
WAKEFIELD — William Daniel Boylan of Wakefield died October 1.
He was the beloved husband of Linda L. (Brogan) Boylan. He was the devoted father of William J. Boylan of Nagoya, Japan and Rachel M. Boylan of Wakefield. He was the cherished brother of Rebecca A. Boylan and her husband Thomas W. Sidlik of Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Barbara J. Boylan and her husband Diom O’Connell of Winchester. He is also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.
Bill was born October 28, 1956 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, to William Henry and Catherine Lydon Boylan. He spent his early childhood in Connecticut and Pennsylvania before moving with his family to Winchester in 1959.
He attended St. Mary’s School in Winchester, and graduated from Matignon High School in 1974, where he was a member of the hockey and golf teams. He graduated cum laude from Boston College in 1978.
He was very proud of the fact that he never missed a single class in four years of college, despite significant health problems. He was married to his lovely wife, Linda, on a beautiful sunny May day in 1988. They lived in several homes in Wakefield where they raised their son and daughter.
An avid runner, he competed successfully in the Boston and New York Marathons, as well as numerous road and bicycle races in support of the American Kidney Foundation. He competed in marathons both while he was a dialysis patient, as well as later as a successful kidney transplant recipient. He enjoyed participating in the annual Kidney, Transplant Dialysis Association (KTDA) golf outing.
Bill received his kidney transplant from a cadaver donor in 1982. He took great care to preserve this wonderful gift from someone he never knew, always taking his prescribed medications, exercising, and avoiding any foods that might damage his kidney. The transplant was successful for 34 years.
He had a passion for playing golf, especially with his son and daughter, frequently in weather that others would call unplayable. He enjoyed spectator sports as well, especially watching his son’s and daughter’s sports games; hockey, lacrosse, soccer, basketball, softball and figure skating.
The funeral will be from the Douglass, Edgerley and Bessom Funeral Home, 25 Sanborn St. (corner of Woburn St.), Reading, on Thursday, October 5, at 8:45 a.m. followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Joseph’s Church, 173 Albion St., Wakefield at 10 a.m.
Burial to follow in Charles Lawn Cemetery, Reading.
Funeral home visiting hours Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For online guest book and directions visit johnbdouglassfuneralhome.com.
