Obituary Notice
This obituary notice has been digitally processed from a scanned archival document. Some words may be imperfectly rendered.
Br. ANTHONY Boyle (1872-1955) OBITUARY. “BROTHER: ANTHONY OF THE SACRED HEART. Brother Anthony disd peacefully in his sleep on the 3rd of October - the Feast of the Child Jesus. His death was not eltogether unexpected, nor the manner of it really surprising as there had been of late a visible and gradual worsening of his health. On the previous evening he sustained a fall in his room, and this in conjunction with two similar accidents of a more serious nature which befell him in recent months contributed to the hastening of his end and shook his otherwise strong constitution. They left him in a weakened condition sapping his energy and vitality. But his death, coming as it did, found him ready and well prepared. On Sunday morning, as had been his custom for some years past, with his usual determination he had Cyngyed himncelf to the Choir to assist at Holy Mass end receive Holy Communion which proved to be his last. Blessed is that Servent, whom when His Lord shall come, He shall find so watching. Known in the world as Charles Boyle, he wes born on lst April, 1872, at Lismore, Co. Waterford. His childhood was lived there, but later, his femily moved to Dublinwhere he received his early education, and in his early tzens he applied himself to the learning of a trade, mostly in the Building line. As ® young man he joined the Army end spent seven years in the Regiment of The Royal Artillery, Afterwards he travelled to America ana was engaged for some years in various kinds of work, He was a late vocation, being 37 years in age when he mede his final decision to apply for admission to The Congregation as a lay- brother. Shortly after he was accepted, his vocation was put to stern test, which proved what manner of man he was. Pressing and repeated invitations from tvo different sources sere forced upon him holding out tempting promises of materiel gain end temporal happiness if he should elter his resolution or change his mind. They caused him to waver for a short while, but the call of God proved more strong and enduring. His novitiate was made in the newly acquired Foundation of The Graan, Enniskillen. It was en. eventful year for the Community, for curing it, the old Coszch House and Stables were converted into a Chepel and made suiteble for » ionastery. Brother Anthony, because of his age, experience and industry, and knowing more than others about bricks and mortar, wes employed in the work of reconstruction and helped considerably in the completion of the plans. He was professed on the 19th of July, 1910, and after his Profession was kept = few years in The Graan where he gave invaluable end devoted service in the new Foundation. Then he was transferred to St. Paul's Retreat, Mount Argus, where he was employed in the various cuties of a Brother, fulfilling them conscientiously and efficiently. After some years he was appointed Cook at St. Saviours Retreat, Broadway, which office he discharged for several years. ‘Most probably, the best and most fruitful years of his Religious Life were spent, 1926 - 1929, at St. Joseph's Retreat, Highgate, when he was appointed Infirmarien and Nurse to threes well know and distinguished Priests of the Anglo-Hibernian Province who had fallen seriously i11 - Fr. Vincent Logan, Fr. Matthew Kelly end Fr.Augustine Hopkins. They were all under his care at one particular period, and depended to a great extent upon him to ease and lighten the sufferings of their last years and to sustain them in their weakness and infirmities.
Brother Anthony brought to his work a-skill and ea compassionate tendsrness that endeareca him to his patients, and he was unfailing in his constent attendence day and night upon them. Thus he won their undving gretitude ond thet of his fuperiors and bretheren for his work of mere, sympathy end compass ion. More than half his Religious life was spent at St. Saviours Retreat, Broadway, where in his latter years, due to a rheumatoid-arthtritic condition, he became a semi-invelid, but never bed-ridden. Though confined to his room, he was never idle, and never seemed to suffer frm loneliness. But he did suffer - and suffered much from the unremitting grip of his complaint, but endured it with cheerfulness and even good humour, with the courage and resignation of ths good soldier of the Cross that he was. His faith was childlike and strong and it was always a source of inspiration and edification to others to see him at his prayers. His piety was solid and deep with no extras or trimmings about it. It was built on the essentials - The Mass, The Blessed Sacrament, The Sacred Passion and Our Lady. He had, of course, his own favourite Seints. He was found dead in bed with the Rosary Beads tightly clasped in his fingers in the month of the Rogary and on the Feast of one of his favourite Saints, Though in his d3rd year he was a child at heart to tha last. iiay he rest in peace. Bernerd of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Rector.
Source: Obituary Notices, Provincial Archive, St Joseph's Province. Passionist Congregation.