1923 – 1997 (September 25)
Andrew Joseph Boyle was born on February 21, 1923, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to James Boyle and Mary Dougherty. He was baptized on March 11, 1923, in the parish of Our Lady of Victory, Philadelphia, where he attended the parochial school. Upon graduation from West Catholic High School, Philadelphia, he entered the United States Army, where, as Chaplain’s Assistant, he was decorated with the American Theater Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. In September, 1946, he became a post graduate postulant at Augustinian Academy, on Staten Island, New York. He was received into the Novitiate of Our Mother of Good Counsel at New Hamburg, New York on September 9, 1947, professed first vows on September 10, 1948 and solemn vows on September 10, 1951. In 1954, he received his A.B. degree in philosophy from Villanova College, and then pursued theological studies at Augustinian College, Washington, D.C. On June 5, 1954, he was ordained to the priesthood by John M. McNamara, Auxiliary Bishop of Baltimore, Maryland, in the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC. He did graduate studies at Villanova College, where, in August 1955, he earned his M.S. degree in Library Science.
On September 1, 1955, after spending a short time at St. Augustine Parish, Lawrence, Massachusetts, Father Boyle was assigned to Archbishop Carroll High School, Washington, D.C., where, for fourteen years, he taught Religion and English and served as librarian and sacristan for the Augustinian community. One of his special gifts was to guide students during their high school years and in their search for future careers.
On June 2, 1969, Father Boyle was assigned to Monsignor Bonner High School, Drexel Hill, Pa., where he taught a variety of subjects, was school librarian, and served as prior He remained a member of the high school community for 27 years. On July 11, 1996, due to failing health, he was transferred to St. Thomas Monastery, Villanova, Pa.
Father Andy, as he was widely known, made a ministry of sending birthday cards each year to his former students. The tradition began when he sent a card to one student. This initiative grew, and developed into his creation of special cards for each of the hundreds of young people whom he taught over the years. His legacy as an Augustinian was particularly marked by his keen interest in each of his students. He was always present to counsel, to encourage and to reconcile them. Former students frequently asked him to celebrate their weddings, to baptize their children and, at times, to counsel them. His own words bear his deep sense of commitment: “I want them to know I am praying for them, and even if we don’t see each other for years, we have still touched each other’s lives.”
Father “Andy” Boyle died on September 25, 1997, at St. Thomas Monastery. A Mass of The Resurrection was celebrated at St. Thomas Church, Villanova. Burial took place at the Augustinian Plot at Calvary Cemetery, West Conshohocken, Pa.
