Mark Leonard Boyle

Beloved father and friend Mark Leonard Boyle left us on February 5th, 2018 to be reunited with his parents and his sister Ellen. Mark was born February 24th, 1951 in Santa Cruz to John Boyle and Hedwig Eloiuse Boyle nee Dufrense. His mother was born in Escanaba, MI and his father in Youngstown, OH. He was married to Bernadette Caglia in October, 1975 in Carmel, CA. Though they divorced in 1981, he made it clear that he would always love his beautiful wife.

Mark will be remembered for his hard work ethic and the love and generosity he showered on his family and friends.

He was always willing to help others especially those who were struggling. He was mechanically inclined and was a gifted contractor. As owner of JB Concrete he worked on major highway projects, in the Bay Area and in Central California. His skills coupled with his inclination and eagerness to help others occupied much of his time working, no matter the job.

When Mark wasn't working from sun-up to sun-down, he could be found attending to the needs of his many friends and family. Mark was able to bench 450 lbs. by the young age of 18, but his colossal hands and brawn were only outmatched by the soft spot he held in his heart for his children and his parents (including his in-laws, whom he considered his own). His son’s earliest memory was of him picking up his sick grandfather Frank Caglia, arguably his best friend, and carrying him outside just because he wanted him to have sun. He frequented his in-laws where he enjoyed visiting with Florence or fixing one of Frank’s many broken projects. His son’s reluctance to tag along on these visits was always followed by the quick retort “one day they’ll be gone and you’re going to miss them.” Inherently, his aptness for discerning absolute truths was impeccable.

His governing tenet was to always tend to others’ needs and to never turn down a request; this reoccurring theme of helping others was definitively his principal source of happiness. Thus, he could always be counted on to show up when a family member was sick, and would do whatever he could to help without money or time being of concern.

He never thought twice when his children, nieces and nephews wanted something; whether it was a fishing trip, fixing a bicycle, some money to go shopping, or even a summer job. He would give until he had nothing left. He could frequently be heard to say, "Money comes, and money goes."

Money meant little to him and though he knew how to enjoy it, he took more pleasure spending it on others rather than himself.

Later in life Mark received much of his joy from spending time with his grandchildren, consuming much of his time. He loved just sitting out back and watching them play for hours. Mark loved to ride bikes to the local store where he would treat his grandkids to ice cream, even though his bad knees made the task exceedingly difficult.

Something else that brought Mark much joy later in life was his animals. He seemed to always be rescuing an abandon dog or cat. Mark would spend weeks rehabilitating sick animals; nursing them back to health by strictly adhering to vets orders, with the exception of one time when his vet recommended euthanizing his dog Chester. Mark carried Chester up and down the stairs and hand feed him for weeks. After Chester recovered he found him a loving home. Mark left behind his two best friends: Lucy and

Barbie. Wherever Mark was, they were. He never went anywhere without them, not even a Doctor’s appointment. They still anxiously sit by the door and wait for his return.

He lived a life that threw caution to the wind and was always able to see the bigger picture of living life the way he wanted, without worry, so as to gain the most from his short time here on earth...a virtue that seems to easily escape so many. He was always entertaining to be around, with an inescapable presence accentuated by his thunderous voice.

He was a man of many talents, from an expert cement contractor to a consoling crisis counselor, and everything in-between. Known for his empathy, compassion and humor, his heart was bigger than most. He meant the world to his three children.

"We'll miss you so much dad."

He is survived by his three children Nicole Nok, Danielle Rodgers and Frankie Boyle; his five grand children Alec, Alyson, Chantrea, Nadia and Soriya; his brothers John and Patrick; and his many nephews, nieces and adopted children and grandchildren.

A Viewing will held at Whitehurst Funeral home on Friday February 16, 2018, from 4:00-7:00. A Recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church on Saturday, February 17, 2018, at 12:00 noon. Interment to follow at St. Peter's Cemetery. A reception will follow the Burial at Frank’s Place. Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home, 1525 East Saginaw Way, Fresno, California (559)227-4048