ROBERT BOYLE

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ROBERT BOYLE It is with great sorrow that we announce the death of Robert H. Boyle (Bob), age 87, on February 15, 2007. Bob was predeceased by his parents Oswald and Mary Boyle; his brothers, Jerry, Jack, and Pat Boyle; and his daughter Connie O'Connor (Oliver). Bob is survived by his wife Mary; daughters, Barbara, Mary Anne (Nick), Margaret, Roberta (John), and Jean; grandchildren, Nick, Jacqueline, Daniel, Caroline and David Syzek; Mary (Sheldon) Biamonte, Salene, Jacquelyn, Katherine and Christina O'Connor; Shara (Mike), John, Robert (Ashley), Pamela (Gary) Horbul, and Beverly Haney; and great-grandchildren, Alexandria, Zachary and Abigale Haney. Born September 6, 1920, Bob attended St. Ignatius, Laverendrye, Kelvin and St. Pauls School. Bob had a passion for flying that was revealed in many ways. He taught model airplane and glider construction at the Y.M.C.A., joined the R.C.A.F. during the war, obtained his private pilot's license with the Gimli Flying Club and was a founding member of the Winnipeg Gliding Club. With partners, Jack Barber and Herman Kurbis, Bob donated the Baby Grunau glider that he built to the Western Aviation Aircraft Museum in Winnipeg. He met his wife of 60 years in Toronto before going overseas during the war. In England, he trained as a Flight Engineer on a Lancaster with skipper John Mould, and was stationed with the 424 Squadron (Jeff Shaw - wireless operator, Gordon Brownlow and Jim Remington - navigational team, Bill Sutherland and Ernie Munn - gunners) at Skipton on Swail, in Yorkshire. After the war, Bob followed in his brothers' footsteps, studying Engineering at the University of Manitoba. When his studies were suspended by the start of his family, he took employment with the Manitoba Government as a Senior Surveys Drafting Technician with the Department of Highways until his retirement in 1984. Bob's other passions were with the M.G.E.A. where he remained an honorary Life Member for his dedication and service over the years; the Credit Union movement in Manitoba; and his love of invention and enjoyment of nature. Bob designed and built the family cottage at Sunset Beach where he spent many happy hours listening to the rustle of the poplar leaves blowing in the wind. He is loved and remembered by his family and friends from his past residence on Hector Avenue and current residence at Villa Beliveau. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Emile, 556 St. Anne's Rd. on Thursday, February 22, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow at Villa Beliveau, 500 Beaverhill. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation or the Western Aviation Aircraft Museum in Winnipeg. Arrangements entrusted to: Chapel Lawn Funeral Home 885-9715

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Feb 20, 2007