Francis X. Boylan

East Greenbush - Francis X. Boylan, 83, passed away peacefully on July 2, 2026, at Pathways Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Niskayuna.

Born in New York City in 1942, Francis was the son of the late Mary Agnes (Coffey) and Francis X. Boylan.

He graduated from Vincentian Institute in Albany before earning his bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, where he participated in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). He later received both his master's degree and Ph.D. from the University at Albany, SUNY, where he became a respected James Joyce scholar.

Following college, Francis worked as a social worker for the City of New York before beginning a distinguished 30-year career with the Rensselaer County Probation Department, where he remained until his retirement.

Francis was an avid reader who found great joy in literature and lifelong learning. He was happiest at home, surrounded by books and the people he loved. A kind, thoughtful, and gentle man, he was deeply devoted to his family. In many ways, the words of fellow Irishman W.B. Yeats seemed to capture his quiet wit and perspective on life: "Being Irish, he had an abiding sense of tragedy which sustained him through temporary periods of joy."

Francis is survived and will be dearly missed by his siblings, Lawrence J. Boylan, Paul G. Boylan, and James J. (Joanne) Boylan; his former sister-in-law, Elaine; and his beloved nieces and nephews, Nicole Van Gendt, Alexis (Micki McElya) Boylan, Gabriel (Christine Smallwood) Boylan, and Nicholas Boylan.

In addition to his parents, Francis was predeceased by his sister Mary Michele Boylan; his longtime partner, Lee Stoeker; and his sister-in-law, Diane Fallon.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Francis's family on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 667 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush. Burial will immediately follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush.