In the Senior Spotlight: Edward J. Boyle III

I was born on Dec. 30, 1944 to Edward J. Boyle, Jr. and Rosemary Maloney in Lewiston, Idaho. My dad, a lieutenant in the army, was stationed in the Philippines when I was born and came back to the U.S. when I was one year old. I was 2 years old when my family moved to California.

My dad got himself busy in buying properties, investing in stock and managing the Boyle Electrical Business he inherited from his dad, which at this time is still thriving. My mom was my dad’s secretary, taking care of the operation. I didn’t get to be with my dad most of the time but I had his brother, Uncle John, a lawyer and a bachelor, as my constant companion. He took me hunting and to some other places. He even bought me my first train, which at that time cost a fortune. I still have that train.

I have a sister, Rosemary, a teacher, who lives in Sacramento and my brother, David, who is now running Boyle Electric in Madera. I am the oldest and David the youngest.

I graduated from Madera High School and went to Fort Ord for military training in my last semester. I served for three years. I went to Fresno State University, received a bachelor of science degree in industrial technology electrical-electronics option on Jan. 21, 1971. After graduating, I took surveying and mathematics in engineering courses.

I got married in my last semester in college to Camille Leone. She left and divorced me after 29 years of marriage. We had two sons, Edward IV and Michael. Edward graduated from Fresno State with a bachelor and master degree in public counseling. He teaches part-time at Fresno State. He is an Eagle Scout. He has two children, Edward V, 2, and Daniela, 1. Michael went to Riverside University, dropped out and went to New York with his girlfriend. He worked as a waiter, the girlfriend worked at New York University.

After my father died, mom took all her grandchildren (three grandsons) and the three of us (Rosemary, David and me) on vacation. We went to Florida and twice to Hawaii. On Thanksgiving and Easter my mom would reserve four rooms for all of us at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco and we’d stay there for two days of shopping. A limousine was provided by the hotel for one day.

My first job was with Red Star Laundry as stationary engineer, then with Hartford Steam Boiler and Inspection Co. testing circuit breakers and electrical equipment for telephone companies. I passed the engineer-in-training test for the State of California which landed me a job at PG&E as senior engineer; I retired after 21 years.

I am a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. I volunteer as a Scout Master for Saint Paul Newman Center, a University Church, for seven years now. I am a board member of the Fresno Diwata Lions Club, an international organization. I have a Silver Beaver Award, two Scout Training Awards, and a Management-Operations Award.

My hobbies are hunting, fishing, collecting trains and guns and going to casinos. I enjoy coming to the Clovis Senior Activity Center five days a week for lunch and, most of all, I enjoy the camaraderie of the group.

This story was originally published June 21, 2016 at 4:50 PM with the headline "In the Senior Spotlight: Edward J. Boyle III."