Alumni Swim Weekend on October 28/29 and Remembrance of Mr. Boyle

by Fritz Homans '76

The Alumni Swim Weekend during late fall will also serve as an opportunity for many people to remember Mr. Boyle as we will be holding a remembrance of him on Saturday morning at 8:30. Mr. Boyle passed away recently in hospice care nearby his Ft. Meyers, FL home and this will be the first opportunity for former swimmers and students to gather and pay their respects to a man who was so influential to so many students for so many years.

Mr. Boyle was at Deerfield for 45 years and taught and coached swimming and diving, as well as coaching pole vaulting. He taught Latin, was the assistant director of admissions, was a dorm master, and was the voice of the Pocumtuck Valley as the announcer of football games for years. Legions of Deerfield students found a caring and insightful positive role model in Mr. Boyle over the years he dedicated to the school. The brilliance of his ability to coach and teach was not to just make the champion swimmer better or the brilliant mind richer, but to develop the talent within each student and athlete and enrich that person with confidence and ability. His patience not only helped guide and develop young boys in their talents, but the manner in which he taught and coached led each individual to think that they could achieve anything. Many of his athletes will attest to the fact that together, they achieved goals and objectives beyond what they thought they were capable of.

Mr. Boyle is survived by his wife, Hannah, who will continue to reside in Florida.

Teacher, Coach... Friend

by Tim Balch '61

There are not words sufficient to express the positive impact of this "teacher, coach, friend and confidant." Larry Boyle is a legend in American preparatory education and coaching. Once more we are reminded of the frailty of life and of the blessings that we all share, by having been touched by his presence and his friendship. Pardon the reference to my heritage, but the 'sons of Deerfield' were blessed beyond the limits of their wildest imagination when Larry Boyle came into their lives. We should all be fortunate enough to have experienced the richness and strength of loyalty to us all. We will miss him greatly. But he will live in all of us. Thank God.

Other Thoughts

"You not only managed me, but you did not make the yoke of responsibility too difficult to bear. I saw you work your magic numerous times in my two years at Deerfield -- taking a person and molding them without destroying or damaging what made that person unique."
     Fritz Bedford '81

"What Mr. Boyle was able to do that no one else could was keep my attention focused on a goal and make me feel like I mattered to him and mattered to the school."
     Jack Spitznagel '69

"Our common bond as Larry Boyle swimmers shines bright, even in his death; and because of his death and because of him and the bond he cemented; we all grieve in unison around the world. To us it seems like his passing should be headline news. To Larry, as we all know, that would be preposterous and the last thing he would want."
     D. Sean Nottage '83

"There was never any doubt that he truly inspired everyone on the team to do their best with his vibrant, demanding mentoring and undeniable appeal as an athletic role model...His patient encouragement gave me the confidence I did not know I had and this has remained with me."
     Jeffery Barker '60

Larry Boyle Fund

Larry Boyle epitomized Deerfield at its best. For 45 years he served as a teacher, a coach and a mentor. He was an extraordinary man of character and charisma who instilled lasting values in generations of students and inspired them to do their very best. His service to Deerfield is only surpassed by Frank Boyden in length and dedication.

A permanent fund is being established as a memorial in his honor. To date, gifts and pledges equal approximately $300,000. The Trustees of Deerfield, recognizing Mr. Boyle's truly exceptional career, have agreed to match, dollar for dollar, the next $350,000 in contributions. With this Trustee Challenge there is a potential to reach and exceed $1 million in funding.

Mr. Boyle was a modest man, who was deeply committed to the Academy and its ideals. He would be very moved to know that his words and actions touched so many lives and that a fund was supported through the generosity of those same people. Should you wish to contribute to this fund, please contact Deerfield's Alumni/Development Office (alumni@deerfield.edu or 413-774-1474).