Retired Lee Police Chief John J. Boyne passed away surrounded by family on October 12, 2015, at Berkshire Medical Center. He was born May 12, 1936 to James and Malay Bianco Boyne. He graduated Lee High School in 1954. While at Lee High School, he captained the football team, was selected as an All-Berkshire nose guard, and met his wife of 57 years, Barbara Tower Boyne. A lifelong Lee resident, Chief Boyne joined the Lee Police Department in 1959, following his service in the Marine Corps and his subsequent work as an engineer's assistant on the New York Thruway construction project. In 1964, at age 27, he was appointed Lee Chief of Police, a position he served in until 1978. In his tenure as Chief, Chief Boyne was recognized for innovative and progressive law enforcement policies, practices and methods designed to overhaul antiquated local drug laws, and community policing. His approach to government human resource management and compensation efforts for municipal workers and small police departments was recognized as a best practice by the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association. After his retirement from the Lee Police Department, Chief Boyne purchased and operated a truck and delivery service until his second retirement in 2007. Chief Boyne was a member of Saint Mary's Church. His passions outside of his family and profession were refinishing and collecting antiques and spending time with lifelong friends. Chief Boyne is survived by his wife Barbara, brothers James and Thomas, and sister Sally Bak; daughters Joanne Tierney (Dr. Brian Tierney), Candace Pettigrew (Lieutenant Thomas Pettigrew (Ret.), Hartford Fire Department), Suzanne Noyes (Michael), and Amy Valente, Ph.D. (Antonio); sons Commander Matthew Boyne (Ret.), United States Navy (Marylee), and Chief Shawn Boyne, New Milford Police Department (Kim); and 17 grandchildren: Patrick, Molly, Kaylee, Chelsea, Collin, Christopher, Hannah, Colby, Kevin, Kyle, Michelle, Conner, Karalina, Mia, Maren, Bradley, and Benjamin. "Poppy's" family will fondly remember him for his kindhearted sense of humor, unconditional love and support, and genial nature. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, Oct 17th , at 10 AM at St. Mary's church in Lee. Burial will follow in Fairmount Cemetery. There will be no visiting hours. In lieu of flowers, the family would like to establish a scholarship fund in John's name to benefit graduating Lee High School students who express an interest in obtaining a degree in Criminal Justice. Contributions may be made out to the John J. Boyne Scholarship Fund in c/o Kelly Funeral Home 3 Main Street Lee, MA 01238.

Service Details

Saturday, October 17th, 2015 10:00am, St. Mary's Church

Interment Details

Fairmount Cemetery