Studio photograph of the Kenny – Boyle family, c. 1888. Seated in front, L to R: Thomas Kenny (step-father) and Mary Brien Boyle Kenny, mother of the children. Standing in back, L to R: Mary “Mayme” Burke, Charles “Charlie” Boyle, Francis “Babe” Brooks, Jennifer “Jennie” Jennings, and Walter “Fred” Boyle. (William and Marie Ferrill Collection)
March 7, 1940 – Charles Boyle died at his Mendocino home shortly after 8 pm. The 5th of 8 children, Charles was born in Albion in 1872 to Thomas and Mary Boyle. His father had come to California in 1863 from Oldtown, Maine, and his mother and infant brother John followed a year later. The family settled in Albion and later moved to Greenwood (Elk) and the south coast. Thomas died in 1878, and Mary married Thomas Kenny in 1881.
The Beacon reported, “As a young man, Charles took employment in the woods, and later under his brother, Ed, woods superintendent for many years for the Mendocino Lumber Company, he had charge of yarder crews. The greater part of his active life was spent in the lumbering industry. Mr. Boyle was of a happy, jovial disposition, and had a large circle of acquaintances and many friends, who will learn of his passing with much regret.”
Charles was survived by his wife of 32 years, Helena Augusta (Flanagan) Boyle, brother William Boyle of Mendocino, and sisters, Mrs. Mary Burke, of Greenwood, Mrs. Frances Brooks of Petaluma, and Mrs. Jennie Jennings of Daly City. Services were held at the Catholic Church in Mendocino, and he was buried at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery in Colma.
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