John Gerald Boylan, Jr.

June 17, 1950 - May 09, 2024

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Obituary for John Gerald Boylan, Jr.

BOYLAN – John Gerald, Jr. – age 73 of Dorchester passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 9, 2024.

After earning his PhD in Chemistry in 1988, John enjoyed a 40+ year career of research, teaching and mentoring. The last 20+ years were at Boston College where in addition to his role in the Chemistry Department, John taught courses on living a purposeful life. He inspired all to be innovative, resilient, adventurous, well-rounded and loving. John’s devotion to those principles is reflected in the passion he extended to activities including community service, sailing, woodworking, painting and poetry.

Husband of Rebecca (Petty) Boylan of Dorchester. Brother of Nancy Thomas and her husband Dave of Illinois, Deborah Boylan of Rhode Island and the late Elizabeth St. Angelo and her husband Robert. Also survived by many extended family and friends.

Graveside services will be held Tuesday, May 14th at the Gilman Chapel - Cedar Grove Cemetery, 920 Adams St., DORCHESTER at 1:00 pm. Interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery, DORCHESTER.

A requiem mass will be celebrated Saturday, May 25 at 10:00 am at All Saints Ashmont, 209 Ashmont St., BOSTON, MA 02124. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to All Saints Ashmont.

Services

14 May

Graveside Service

01:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Cedar Grove Cemetery 920 Adams Street Dorchester Center, MA 02124 Get Directions »
25 May

Memorial Mass

10:00 AM - 11:30 AM

All Saints - Ashmont 209 Ashmont Street Dorchester, MA 02124 Get Directions »
by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

  • May 21, 2024

    John brought enormous richness to our Capstone senior seminar program, where he helped students deepen their self-knowledge and plan lives of purpose. He also brought deep training and practice of spirituality, so much so that his Jesuit mentor encouraged John to offer spiritual guidance to others seeking it. At a time when Boston College had no sailing team, John formed and mentored a sailing club, navigating the bureaucratic red tape to get a campus organization started. Thus, as a scientist with deep faith, as a man of vigorous athletic skill with an exceptional grasp of classic literature great poetry, John was a true Renaissance man. He was a gift not only to students, but to us his faculty colleagues as well. I cherished the private conversations we shared, especially about T. S. Eliot, whom we both revered. Our colleagues in the Capstone Program lament his passing and offer our deep condolence to Rebecca. Prof. James M. Weiss, Capstone Director, Boston College

  • May 12, 2024

    One of the most decent human beings I've ever had the privilege of knowing: kind and humble, living life with dignity, integrity, and service to others. Be at peace, John—thanks for the knowledge and guidance; miss you very much. Let's chuckle together the next time I invoke a "helium NMR emergency!" —TJ.

  • May 12, 2024

    Greatest Dad. I will always remember the Great Times. Forever ever in my ❤️. Thanks for always being their for me. Rest In Paradise John and Liz.

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