Robert J. Boylan, 86, died in Holden, Mass., on July 3, surrounded by family. He was the husband of the late A. Jeanette (Dahl) Boylan, who died in 2007.donatenow.heart.org, or the Parkinson's Foundation, parkinson.org, or a charity of one's choice.

His children Peg and her husband Al Bowers of Sandy Hook, Linda Boylan and her husband Tom Beaton of Boxford, Mass., Mike Boylan and his girlfriend Christine Lorkiewicz of North Grosvenordale, Conn., and Kathi Boylan and her fiancé Vernon McKillop of Worcester, Mass.; grandchildren; former daughter-in-law Sharon Hopkins; sisters-in-law, Jean Creamer of Hudson, Fla., and Sandra Garfield of Westfield; cousins; nieces; nephews; and many friends survive him.

Mr Boylan was born in Worcester, Mass., the son of the late Anne M. (Downer) and Robert A. Boylan. He was educated at Worcester schools, graduating from Commerce High School and Worcester Junior College. He was drafted into the Army and was stationed at Fort Belvoir.

After he married "Jin," the love of his life, they lived in Washington, DC, until Mr Boylan was discharged from the service. Then they moved back to Worcester, and later to Holden, where they raised their family. Summer vacations on Cape Cod were favorite times, especially Sea Street Beach and West Dennis Beach.

He worked as a draftsman at Morgan Construction Company for 39 years before his retirement. He was on the softball league and bowling league during his time at Morgan's. In retirement, he and Jin bowled together in a local league. They also enjoyed playing pitch and traveling, especially to Bermuda. They both delighted in family get-togethers and were wonderful grandparents. They were parishioners at St George's Church, where Mr Boylan had been a member of the Men's Club, the coffee shop, and the bowling team.

Family was everything to Mr Boylan. He would call to stay in touch and check on everyone's well-being. He stayed in touch with his Army buddies.

Mr Boylan had a wonderful sense of humor - he lit up a room with his congeniality and infectious personality.

He was a whiz at sports statistics and often started conversations with strangers (soon to be friends) with some discussion of the latest score for New England teams.

His family would like to thank all his health care professionals who were wonderful to their father.

Calling hours are Thursday, July 7, from 5 to 8 pm at the Athy Memorial Home, 111 Lancaster Street, Worcester.

The funeral will be conducted on Friday, July 8, from the funeral home, with a Mass at 10 am in St George's Church 40 Brattle Street, Worcester. Burial will follow in Worcester County Memorial Park, Paxton.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the American Heart Association,