Arthur David Boyle

It is with heavy hearts we announce the passing of Arthur David Boyle. Art was born to John and Dorothy Boyle. The youngest of eleven children, and one of eight boys, he was called “boy” by his family. His first job at the age of nine included going to the Billingsgate Fish Market on Saturdays, accompanying a fish monger to deliver fish. His reward was a crusty cheese bun and tea. He grew up near London during the Second World War, a memory he shared was of the Land Army Girls who worked in the fields. As you walked past them, they would pull your pants down. Young Arthur would run like a deer to get away from them.

Arthur was close to his sister Dorothy and followed her to North America, and at the age of 17, immigrated to Canada landing at Sidney, Nova Scotia on January 20, 1956. He lived and worked for a time in Newfoundland near his sister and her family. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in June 1956, attended basic training at St Jean, QC and Trades Training at Camp Borden, ON. He was stationed in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan between 1957-1960 where he met his wife of 63 years, Rosaline Samoleski. As Arthur said, “Very few military escaped Saskatoon without getting married to one of the beautiful girls!”

Shortly after their marriage on September 24, 1960, Art was stationed in England. He and Rose moved to where their children Laura (1961) and Bradley (1962) [who passed away as an infant] were born. In 1963 the young family moved to France where Lana (1963) and Jeffrey (1964) were born. In 1965, the family returned to Canada settling in Manitoba where Rhonda (1966) and Sarah (1976) were born. The family lived for an extended time in Portage la Prairie, MB. Throughout most of his life, Arthur worked a second job as a driving instructor in high schools in Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg. Arthur was a bit of a rebel and would sometimes share the RCAF version of “O Christmas Tree” which included the line “the working class can kiss my a**, I’ve got my corporals hooks at last.”

Arthur proudly served with the Canadian military for 30 years, until his release in April 1986, as a Sargent after which he held civilian positions with DND and with Global Thermal Electric in Quality Assurance Management. He retired in 2008.

He is survived by his wife Rose, children Laura Boyle, Lana (Blair) Woods, Rhonda (Rick) Manczuk, Sarah Boyle (Loris Colangelo), daughter-in-law Dawn Boyle, his 12 grandchildren Russ, Stephen, Erica, Rae, Kirby, Jei, Austin, Hannah, Lucas, Rhys, Joseph, and Drew and 6 great grandchildren Zachary, Elisabeth, Lydia, Jeffrey, Ben and Lexie. As well as numerous nieces and nephews in England, Australia, New Zealand and throughout Canada, some of whom he was happy to be able to speak with during his brief stay at Rocky View Hospital just prior to his passing.

Arthur was predeceased by his parents, siblings, and his sons Bradley (1962) and Jeffrey (2004).

A Funeral Mass will be held on Dec 22 at 10:30 AM (Holy Spirit Catholic Church, 10827 24 St SW Calgary) followed by a reception at 12:30 PM Royal Canadian Legion Branch #285, 9202 Horton Road SW, Calgary)

In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the Royal Canadian Legion (legion.ca) in Art’s memory.