Michael Oliver O'Boyle

Michael Oliver O’Boyle, 82, of Scranton passed away Tuesday morning at home surrounded by family.  He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Dr. Suzanne Kirwin O’Boyle, in 2019.

Born in Frenchpark, County Roscommon, Ireland, Michael was the son of the late John and Bridget Corcoran O’Boyle. When John died after a long illness, Bridget emigrated to America in 1954 with Michael and his siblings on the MV Georgic. They settled in Scranton with the help of a kind relative, Prudence Murphy.

Michael graduated from Scranton Preparatory School and then joined the United States Air Force. During his service in the Azores, he gained experience operating early computers which laid the foundation for his career in database architecture. He worked for 40 years for HarperCollins Publishers, Dunmore, eventually retiring as Director of Systems having navigated decades of technological change.

Michael earned a degree in English from the University of Scranton where he continued to study at the graduate level for personal enrichment. He was an avid reader of literature and history and lover of music, particularly Irish. His children fondly recall early morning songs, poetry and quotes for every occasion.

He devoted his life to his wife and their big happy family. He helped start the Scranton Youth Soccer League, was certified as a referee, and volunteered for years.  He supported and encouraged his children’s interests and activities, acting as chauffeur for them and their friends. His children’s education was of primary importance to him, and he was very pleased to have raised ten college graduates. He was a generous man of dry wit and few possessions who was fond of saying "There's no luggage rack on a hearse."

Nana and Papa’s house was a joyful daycare and family gathering space with sunshine and swings and lots of ice cream. It was Papa’s lap for naps, ipad time and rocking the littlest babies to sleep.

Michael was a devout Catholic, who shared his faith with his family and community. He was a member of Immaculate Conception Church where, through the years, he served as a lector, a Eucharistic minister, an RCIA catechist, a Pre-Cana and Marriage Encounter leader, and a member of the Parish Council.  He was a Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus.

He is survived by his children: Michael (Nell), Karen (Lance) Tost, Ciera (Patrick) Doherty, Kerry (Grant) Callender, Kate, Shane, Matthew (Kerri), Colin (Melissa), Kielan, Kathleen (Michael) Connors; his twenty-two grandchildren: Molly, Zoe, and Ben O’Boyle; Kaytlen, Ethan, Bridget, Dylan, Ella, and Owen Tost; Patrick, Saoirse, and Brendan Doherty; Susan, Ryan, Eamon, and Sarah Grace Callender; Emma and Liam O’Boyle; Finnegan and Noah O’Boyle; Nolan and Emily Connors; his brother Leonard (Jane); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was also preceded in death by his sister Marie Jackson and brother Julian O’Boyle.

The funeral will be Monday from the Carlucci-Golden-DeSantis Funeral Home Inc., 318 E. Drinker St., Dunmore with a Mass at 10:00am at Immaculate Conception Church, 801 Taylor Ave, Scranton.

Friends are asked to go directly to the church the morning of the Mass.

Interment, St. Catherine’s Cemetery, Moscow.

Friends may call Sunday evening from 5-7pm at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Center, 2010 Adams Ave. Scranton, PA 18509.