Obituary of Leland H. Boyles

Oneida – March 02, 2021 Lee Boyles, age 81, was reunited with his parents, Emma Gayle (Bush) & Hubert Walter Boyles, and those family and friends that passed before him, including his Rosie. A 1956 graduate of Stockbridge Valley Central School, Lee graduated at the age pf 15 and then worked at the Grand Union in Oneida. On April 14, 1957, he married Donna Kay Eagan, an Oneida girl he'd met through mutual friends. Lee and Donna raised three children on the Boyles family homestead road – Creek Road in Oneida NY. Deborah, Linda & Jeffrey were free to roam in the woods and fields, and play in the Cowaselon Creek that traveled in front of the home. Lee was a supporter of conservation and planted 5400 tree seedlings on the property; evergreens and black walnut trees, with the help of his brother-in-law, Gordon. As this forest was growing, Lee had older woods forested. Lee took up the hobby of bee-keeping at one time, and kept family & friends stocked with honey. Lee was community-minded and was a member of the Lincoln Volunteer Fire Department and once answered a middle-of-the night call to a fire at a family member's home. Lee was one of the co-founders of Greater Lenox Ambulance service (GLAS), recognizing the necessity for rural emergency care. Lee also volunteered for GLAS as an EMT and trained other EMTs. Lee was a member of the former Moose Lodge, and a lifetime member of the NRA. Over the years, Lee remained strong in his dedication to the American Red Cross, donating several pints of blood through his lifetime. Lee put himself through college as a young father and received an engineering degree from Utica College. He worked for Diemolding Corporation in Canastota for several years before moving on to Coleco Industries. Coleco employed Lee to work in Hong Kong. While there, he spent time traveling and visited Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. On June 1, 1999, Lee was granted a United States Patent for his invention of the "Spool for Fiber Optic Media." Lee's real love for work came through his 30 years of being a radio personality at WMCR in Oneida. This small, local radio station became a second home to Lee. He initially worked at WMCR Sunday afternoons as his "hobby job." His radio show was filled with legends such as Frank Sinatra, Andy Williams, Doris Day, big bands and more. Once Lee returned from Hong Kong, he took on a full-time job at the radio station and proclaimed himself "World-Famous Radio Announcer Lee Boyles," after all the traveling he had done. Lee had a great sense of humor which was conveyed to his listeners. Lee had a passion for music, introducing several entertainers on the phonograph to his children. Always at a loud volume when played, the music of Elton John, Carole King, The Fifth Dimension, Manhattan Transfer and more, echoed through the walls of the house. Anyone who knew Lee knows that Barbra Streisand was his all-time favorite entertainer. Lee was also a self-taught piano player on the piano he had for years, which originally belonged to his mother. Lee literally has played all over the world. Whenever he found an empty piano seat – in an airport, a lounge, a hotel, he would become the entertainer. Besides music, Lee's other passion in life was motorcycle riding. He owned many motorcycles in his life, but his favorite was his Harley Davidson Road King. Lee and his brother, Elly, spent the winters planning trips and for 2 weeks each summer, traveled their dreams by motorcycle. Through the 1990's and early 2000's, Lee and Elly traveled the lower 48 United States, visiting historic sites and National Parks. Lee kept a journal of their travels and recommended anyone taking on such adventures should do the same. Lee's home boasted a bulletin board, worthy of any war room's, covered with a United States map, tacks and color-coded string documenting the routes they'd taken and places they'd visited. Lee is survived by his daughters Deborah and Linda and son Jeffrey (Jean); grandchildren Lynne Ann Ward (Patrick Fisher), Ryan (Emma) Ward; Christopher Rinauto, Benjamin Rinauto (Mara Boardman) and William Rinauto; Victoria Kay Boyles and Sebastian Boyles; a very special great-granddaughter who always engaged her Great-Grandpa in intellectual discussions, Kaylee Secor; and twin great-grandsons Wyatt & Owen Ward. Lee was extremely proud of his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Lee was the eldest of the Boyles children and is survived by sisters Jeanne Lehmann, Mary Blanchard, & brother Ellis (Debbie) Boyles. Lee is also survived by cousins and several nieces and nephews. Lee's children wish to thank all of Lee's family who provided meals, looked in on him, called him on the phone to chat, and helped in every way to allow Lee to continue living in his home. Lee's family wishes to thank the dedicated staff at Oneida Health ECF for their compassionate care. If you so desire to honor Lee's memory, and his dedication to conservation, donations may be sent to: Great Swamp Conservancy, 8375 N. Main Street, Canastota NY 13032. Greatswampconservancy.org RIDE ON, LEE Arrangements are under the care of the Malecki Funeral Home, Sherrill, NY