BOYLE, James Richard, age 84, of Afton, passed away peacefully on May 20th, 2026 in St. Martha’s Regional Hospital in Antigonish, surrounded by his family.
Born in Afton, he was the son of the late Henry "Richard" Alphonsus Boyle and Anna (Riley) Boyle.
Richard attended the local school in Afton and then St Andrew Rural High. He continued his studies at St. Francis Xavier University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science, then Bachelor of Education and Masters of Education degrees. He taught briefly in Halifax and Alberta before moving back to Afton to get married and start teaching at Tracadie Consolidated School. Except for a year off to recover from an acoustic neuroma tumor, he spent the remainder of his teaching years in Tracadie. Even after retirement, the sight of a plain cheese sandwich always sparked fond memories and funny stories to share about his teaching career. Dad was a great man. He lived his life with integrity, generosity, humility and kindness, which will live on through his children and grandchildren.
He is survived and dearly missed by his children: Rayanna (Scott) Patterson, Halbstadt, Manitoba; Todd (Cora-Lee) Boyle, Stellarton; Krista (Jason) Delorey, Afton and Charla (Shawn) Robertson, Loch Broom; sister Monica (John) Creber, Inverary, Ontario; grandchildren Chelsea and Keegan Boyle, Graham, Dominic, Liam and Evan Delorey, Victoria, Chase and Natasha Robertson; several nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Ann Boyle (Wills); brothers Henry and John Boyle; sisters Dolly Waddleton and Sr Mary Vianney Boyle.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 24th from 4pm to 7pm at C.L. Curry Funeral Home, 135 College Street, Antigonish. Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, May 25th at 11am in St. Peter’s Church, Tracadie with Reverend John Barry presiding. Burial to follow in the Parish Cemetery.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Peter’s Cemetery Fund.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Martha’s Regional Hospital, where dad received exceptional care over the past few months.