Obituary of Edward Michael Boyko

Edward Michael Boyko, 83, of Fort Myers FL; North Truro, Cape Cod, MA; and previously Northfield, MA died on March 9, 2014 after a lengthy and courageous battle with asbestosis. Mr. Boyko was born on July 25, 1930 in Hartford, CT to Clara and Michael Boyko. He attended a Polish speaking elementary school and graduated from Wethersfield High School in Wethersfield, CT. Mr. Boyko served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict and was honorably discharged in 1952 after four years of service. He lived in Wethersfield for 25 years and raised his family there. His first wife, Marian, predeceased him. He married his beloved wife, June, on December 25, 1978, with whom he celebrated 35 years of marriage. Mr. Boyko loved the outdoors. As a lifetime member of The Wethersfield Game Club, he was an avid hunter, angler, and target shooter, winning many ribbons and trophies for trap and skeet shooting. He also enjoyed collecting antique firearms. He had a strong love for animals; he trained several of his Labrador Retrievers and won many blue ribbons in field trials with his cherished dog, Flair. His Jack Russell Terrier, Radar, was the joy of his life during the last four years of his illness. They were inseparable and Radar provided many moments of laughter and comfort during his most difficult days. Mr. Boyko worked for Northeast Utilities for 35 years, initially as a turbine mechanic and retiring as maintenance supervisor. He received accolades from the company president for his focus on safety and reaching one million man-hours without a lost time accident while under his supervision. Mr. Boyko was a gifted mechanic and was known for his creative solutions to problems; he enjoyed taking discarded equipment and making it functional again. He is survived by his wife, June, of Fort Myers, FL and North Truro, MA; children, Beverly (Richard) Boyko-Scully of Madison, CT; Deborah (Chris) Boyko-Pardue of Mystic, CT; step children Barbara (Rick) Fulmer of Park City, UT; Jennifer (Darryl) Chandler of Plano, TX; and Tracy (Mark) Peterson of Plano, TX; grandchildren Nicholas Scully; Kathleen Scully; Nathan Pardue; Bennett (Arianne) Pardue; Drake Fulmer; Sheridan Chandler; Colton Chandler; Sydney Chandler; Bill Magana; Jeffrey Magana; Kaitlin Chandler; and Kelsey Chandler; sisters-in-law Marcia (Calvin) Parent; and Miriam Fine (Doug Connah); and nieces Virginia Kazimer, Dorothy Burnes, and Ashley Grinnell. He is also survived by his nephews, Charles Kehoe; David Kehoe; Michael (Lori) Kehoe and Seth Parent. He was preceded in death by his parents and three sisters Stella Luszczak, Bridget Kehoe, and Veronica Gane. In addition, during Mr. Boyko's childhood, and until the day he passed away, he also leaves his very dear friend, Mr. John Palazzo (Chris) of East Hampton, CT. Arrangements locally are being handled by Akin-Davis Funeral Home, and in Connecticut by D'Esopo Funeral Chapel & Resource Center in Wethersfield, CT. There will be a Memorial service at the D'Esopo Chapel, on Saturday, April 5, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. Private graveside services will be at Cedar Hill Cemetery in Hartford, CT. Contributions in Mr. Boyko's memory can be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Lung Association.