Bro. James A. Boyle, T.O.R., 71, of the Third Order Regular Franciscans of the Province of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, died Wednesday, May 30, 2018 at UPMC St. Margaret Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, unexpectedly. He resided at Queen of Peace Friary, Pittsburgh, PA, where he served in the ministry of prayer and temporalities.
He was born in Philadelphia, PA, on September 29, 1946 to James A. Boyle and Edith Marie Bowes Boyle. He was baptized at Holy Name Catholic Church on October 13, 1946. He attended Holy Name of Jesus Catholic School for eight years, and graduated in 1960. He attended St. Francis Preparatory School, Spring Grove, PA, and graduated in 1964. Bro. James entered postulancy on September 5, 1965, at Sacred Heart Friary, White Post, VA. He entered novitiate June 30, 1966, and received the religious name Bro. Christian. On July 1, 1967, he professed his first vows at Sacred Heart Friary. He professed his solemn vows on July 1, 1970, at the Immaculate Conception Chapel, Loretto, PA. At this time he returned to his baptismal name. Bro. James received a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Steubenville, Ohio. He received a Master of Science degree in Education from Loyola College, Baltimore, Maryland in 1987.
During his long and very faithful Franciscan life, Bro. James ministered in numerous works of the Province. He served in Rome as the secretary to the Minister General for six years. Returning to this country, he served in leadership as local minister at St. Anthony Friary, Fairless Hills, PA, and as secretary and member of the Provincial Council for four years. He was T.O.R. National Spiritual Assistant to the Secular Franciscan Order for four years. In education he served as principal at St. Petersburg Catholic High School in Florida and principal at Serra Catholic High School, McKeesport, PA. He taught at St. Francis Prep, Spring Grove, PA and at Conwell-Egan Catholic High School, Fairless Hills, PA. In the latter, he was chairperson of the Social Studies Department and Junior Class Advisor. He held numerous positions in various friaries throughout the Province. While in Steubenville he was assigned to the Gaming, Austria campus of Franciscan University.
Bro. James was preceded in death by two sisters: Nancy Arpina and Sara Kappler. He is survived by two nieces: Theresa Repas, New Jersey, and Donna Simmons, Texas, and his Franciscan brothers. Friends were received at the Chapel of St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto, PA at 4:00 p.m., on Sunday, June 3, 2018. Vigil service was celebrated at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial was concelebrated on Monday, June 4, 2018, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis Friary-Mt. Assisi, Loretto, PA, with Very Rev. Richard L. Davis, T.O.R., Minister Provincial, as principal celebrant. Following the Mass, interment took place at the Franciscan Friars’ Cemetery, on the campus of St. Francis University, Loretto, PA.