Thomas "Pat" Boylon

Patrick Boylon, age 91, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, May 28th.

Pat was born August 26, 1929, in Grand Rapids, Michigan the son of Thomas and Pauline Boylon. He was the last surviving of seven children. He graduated from Catholic Central High School and enrolled in the Army the following year. He transferred after a year and continued to serve in the reserves for 5 more years until he was honorably discharged in June of 1955. He loved his job as a Radiology/X-ray technician for 40 years plus at Metro Health Hospital and was a teacher and friend to those that worked with him. He always had an intriguing story from the many times that he was called in to do an X-ray. He was dedicated to Metro Hospital for his entire life and followed and participated in many of their fundraisers and events.

Patrick was a bachelor his entire life and lived very independently. He loved to sail with friends in his younger years and would spend many trips in the Bahamas. He loved to throw Friday happy hours at his home and meet up with friends at Ducks in Grand Rapids. When Duck’s closed, he of course found his most favorite hang-out at Tillman’s Bar/Restaurant. Many a friend or family member would sit with him at the bar and chat with the bar tenders and waitresses there who all knew his favorite drink order (Bud Light and a Stinger). He swapped books with another loyal patron and filled his time in the depths of many novels. He was there religiously one to two nights a week for many years. The Tillman’s crew was much like family to Pat and if you happened to see him prior to his death, it is guaranteed he was still talking about how much he missed it there.

Patrick had many hobbies and passions, but his two favorites were photography and woodworking. He loved jazz music and made several speakers for entertaining in his home. If you ever were able to wander down into his basement, you were in for a great surprise as every nook and cranny were full of tools and machinery. You may even have gone home with a cutting board to use in your kitchen. Patrick was also an avid photographer and took pictures at the weddings of many family members. He would wander around all anniversaries, parties and family gatherings snapping memories to share with everyone. And back in the day he would be smoking a pipe while doing it, too.

Patrick remained in close contact with several family members during his life including Gale Rewa (nephew in-law), Patricia Boylon (niece), and Molly and Matt Buist (great niece and her husband).

Patrick was taken to Heritage Life Story Funeral homes. His wishes for burial remain unknown at this time. His closest family members will assure that his wishes will be carried out. There is a place to share a memory about Pat at the Heritage Life Story funeral home website under his name. If you would like to do something in his honor, drink a cold Bud Light and toast a man that lived the way he wanted until the end. He will be missed.