Clarence V. Boyd, age 86, a lifelong resident of LeBoeuf Township, died unexpectedly at Millcreek Community Hospital on Tuesday, August 30, 2011.
Born in Mill Village on March 3, 1925, Clarence was the son of the late David and Addie Smith Boyd. He graduated from Waterford Academy in 1943 with almost perfect attendance, and three years later, on March 12, 1946, he was married to Helen Porter, who survives.
Clarence was a lifelong dairy farmer who together with his wife lived at the family farm which was settled by his grandparents following the famine in Ireland. Over the years, they played host to relatives from Kansas, Ireland and Australia during their many visits.
In addition to farming, Clarence was a school bus driver for over 40 years, and he served as a LeBoeuf Township Supervisor during the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. He was a lifelong Cleveland Indians and Browns fan and was a proud member of the “dog pound” at a few games.
Clarence loved to travel and enjoyed numerous trips to Florida and countless rides during the Fall to see the leaves. During the 1970’s he enjoyed a month-long cross country trip to California, and he was most proud of his return to the Boyd homestead in Belfast, Ireland in 1992.
With a natural sense of humor, Clarence liked to joke and laugh. He enjoyed a bowl of ice cream every night while he read the newspaper at the kitchen table, and he was a top-notch babysitter who would make his granddaughters pancakes for lunch and fudge at Christmastime. And, with two granddaughters and two great-granddaughters, he drove to many dance classes and attended many dance recitals.
Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, an infant son David Boyd, a sister Charlotte Brown, and his two brothers, Vance and Raymond Boyd.
Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Helen Porter Boyd; a son, Donald J. Boyd and his wife Wanda of Waterford; his two granddaughters, Stephanie Boyd of Pittsburgh and Kelly Boyd-Johnson of Waterford; his two great-granddaughters, Emma and Morgan Johnson; a brother Aden Boyd of Cleveland; and several nieces and nephews. A special thank you to an adopted grandson, Anthony LaPaglia and to Linda and Donald Welsch for all their timeless hours of friendship and care.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Friday from 4:00 until 8:00pm. Funeral services will be at the New Ireland United Methodist Church, Rt. 6 (2 miles east of Mill Village), Union City, PA, on Saturday morning at 10:30am officiated by Rev. John L. Miller. Interment will follow at Waterford Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10th Street, Erie, PA 16511.
I still find it difficult to write about my Uncle Clarence, so instead this is to my Uncle Clarence.
Uncle Clarence, As I write to you today I find a smile perpetually on my face, I imagine mirroring yours. Anytime just the thought of seeing you makes my heart lighter and so filled with love. So this is a thank you letter for all that you have done that has made my life better. I miss you and look forward to the time when we can visit and share smiles once again.
God Bless You and Your Family,
Your Niece, Judy xoxo
Dear Boyd Family,
We send our sincere condolences with the great loss of Clarence. Ours as well as our Church’s thoughts and prayers have been with you all during this very difficult time. We pray that his memories will reassure and comfort you all.
Love, Bill Johnson & Andy Smith
Atlanta, GA
Dear Helen, Don and Family,
Our deepest sympathy in the loss of Clarence, my cousin. I remember Clarence as a little kid when I would go to Aunt Addies and Uncle Dave’s to the family reunions and later years out to the farm with Aunt Laticia, Clarence and Raymond. My brothers Norman and Donnie and my sister Betty were ckise to his family. Betty took me to visit Wanda and family and I also saw all of the family at the reunion a couple of years ago. Clarence was a wonderful gentleman and will be missed by many. May your many fond memories sustain Helen, Donnie and the family at this difficult time.
Our love to all of you, Marilyn and Toby Lowery
It is with a saddened heart that we offer our prayers and love to all of the family and friends of my great uncle Clarence. I know that my grandpa and my mom loved him greatly. May the peace of Christ’s resurrection bring all who mourn a sense of consolation. With love, the Steele-Steeber family (Jeff & Melissa, Grace, Benjamin).
September 1, 2011
Aunt Helen, Don, Wanda, Stephanie, Kelly, and family,
In memory of Uncle Clarence, we offer our sincere condolences and prayers. Uncle Clarence was a loving, kind, and joyful Christian man. We have fond memories of Uncle Clarence and the rest of the family. We pray that Jesus’ love for Uncle Clarence and Uncle Clarence’s faith, hope, and love in Jesus will provide the assurance of Uncle Clarence’s eternal home and comfort for everyone in the family.
In Christian love,
Jim and Sandy Boyd
4105 E. Mountain Vista Drive
Phoenix, AZ 85048
Sorry for your loss Don. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow. May your memories bring you comfort.