Jerome "Jerry" O'Boyle, founder of supplier Journalbooks/Timeplanner Calendars, passed away on April 26, at age 81. The full obituary is below.
On April 26, 2014, Jerome "Jerry" Edward O'Boyle went home to be with the Lord. Born Sept. 4, 1932 in the Bay Ridge area of Brooklyn N.Y. to the late Jerome Edward and Irene Keegan O'Boyle. A third generation Irish-American, Jerry had inherited a good work ethic, which enabled him to achieve much during his lifetime. One of his greatest achievements was to raise ten children with his wife of 62 years, Joan Minor O'Boyle.
He had a fascination with graphic arts from a young age, with one of his earliest jobs being with a local newspaper, 'The Bay Ridge Reporter'. After attending Villanova and City College of New York, graduating with a BA in advertising, he went to work for Emerson Radio. From there he joined Davidson Printing Equipment, a division of Mergenthaler Linotype, as advertising manager, which led him from New York City to Charlotte, N.C. He later joined Delmar's calendar division, Amercraft Planners, before eventually accepting a position with Xerox.
Xerox relocated him and his family to Knoxville and then to their headquarters in Rochester N.Y. In 1967, they moved to Surrey, England, where Jerry worked on a joint venture between Xerox and the Rank Corporation. After returning to the U.S. in 1971 he left Xerox and returned to Charlotte to create Timeplanner Calendars, a promotional products company.
Jerry eventually had the pleasure of being joined in the business by all of his six surviving sons. One of his legacies is the care and respect that he showed for each of his employees, some of whom still work there, having been there almost since the company's inception. He always found time to help others less fortunate than himself, having volunteered as an after school tutor as well sponsoring refugee families. The greatest legacy that he left was the example that he set for all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to never forget those less fortunate than himself. One of his favorite things to do in his later years was to shop at Walmart where he would sometimes offer to buy the groceries or other items for people in the checkout line with him who seemed less fortunate.
Living in England instilled in him and his children a great love for travel. His children have many fond memories of traveling with him across the cities of Europe and North Africa. After retirement he and Joan spent their summers in the town of Lancaster, in the white mountains of New Hampshire close to where his wife Joan was raised.
Jerry was predeceased by his firstborn son John Michael as well as his parents and brother, Anthony O'Boyle. He leaves behind his wife Joan and nine children: Irene R. Single (Wayne), James E. O'Boyle (Maria), Thomas P. O'Boyle (Christine), Lawrence E. O'Boyle, Anne M. Boatenreiter, Joseph A. O'Boyle, Maureen J. O'Boyle, Timothy F. O'Boyle, Patrick J. O'Boyle (Sumer). Grandchildren: Colleen A. Cromer (Wyatt), Megan T. Tozer, Ryan T. Tozer, Mallory G. Williams, John F. O'Boyle, Christina E. O'Boyle, David M. Lehman, Hannah J. Lehman, Allison R. Boatenrieter, Keegan J. O'Boyle, Charlotte C. O'Boyle, Miller P. O'Boyle, Myers V. O'Boyle. Great-grandchildren: Finn R. Cromer, Eden A. Cromer.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that donations be made in his honor to SmileTrain.org, one of his favorite charities that perform cleft surgeries on needy kids across the globe.
A funeral service was held at St. Gabriel's Catholic Church in Charlotte today at 10:30 a.m. Burial will take place at a later date in Twin Mountain, N.H.
Condolences may be offered at www.HarryandBryantFuneralHome.com.