Obituary

Harry Herbert Boyle of San Juan Capistrano passed away Monday, December 18, 2017, just 19 days shy of his 90th birthday.

Harry grew up in San Francisco where he had been born to Henry Boyle of Maryland and Mary Jorgensen of Copenhagen. In January 1946 he enlisted in the Army and served in Tokyo under General Douglas MacArthur. It was in Tokyo that he converted to Catholicism. Upon discharge, he went home to San Francisco, then moved to Los Angeles to finish college, living for a time in Santa Ana where he was a reporter for the Santa Ana Register. He earned his PhD in English from UCLA and taught at the University of Arizona in Tucson, but returned to California ending up in San Diego. There he met his second wife and lived for nearly 40 years, teaching English at various colleges. In 2014 they retired to San Juan Capistrano.

He had no siblings but is survived by four children and one grandchild with his now deceased first wife, Gianna Di Girolomo: Henry Robert Boyle and Brynn Elizabeth Boyle, and Brynn’s son, Dameon Ivory Boyle – all currently of Berkeley, CA; Ann Marie Boyle of Los Angeles, CA; and Mia Katherine Boyle of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by his second wife Donna Rodman, his step-daughter J. Lisa Allen, and his step-grandchildren Cooper and Kate, all of San Juan Capistrano.

Harry’s mother graduated from nursing school in 1905 and subsequently worked for the US Department of the Interior as a nurse on Indian reservations in the Dakotas. Later she joined the Army and worked in China. Always fascinated by her stories, Harry remained interested in Native American issues. His favorite charities were those that benefited the Indians. An avid hiker, Harry’s favorite summer vacations were spent backpacking in the High Sierras.

Details of service are being arranged by O’Connor Mortuary, 877-872-2736. In lieu of flowers or other contributions, Harry would appreciate donations to the American Indian College Fund, 8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, CO 80221.