Charles Andrew “Chuck” Boyle was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania on June 29, 1930. He was raised by his grandparents, Andrew and Irene Sefick and grew up with 8 aunts and uncles that were brothers and sisters at heart. He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Karin, his children Andrea Liggett, Christine Boyle, Patrick Boyle and Curt Boyle and his wife Kris. Also missing him greatly are his 5 grandchildren Irene Kirby, Morgan Boyle-Schuck, Kayla Shreve, and Sarah and Alix Boyle as well as great grandchildren Samantha and Riley Kirby and Elli and Hayden Shreve. He is also survived by his Uncle Dick Sefick of Johnstown.
Chuck was raised in Johnstown until his teens and no mattered where he lived, and he lived in many places, he always considered it the greatest place on earth. He survived the 1936 Johnstown flood by riding on the shoulders of his beloved grandfather, a man short in stature but big in heart and very strong from working in the butcher shop he owned. Chuck contracted polio at the age of 3 and went through many painful treatments including body casts, braces and even having some of the bone taken out of his “good” leg to even him up. He never let his polio stop him from doing the things he loved like playing tennis, riding a bike and swimming.
When Chuck’s mother Magita married Jack Boyle, he moved to New York City to live with them. He spent his teens and early 20’s living in the 2nd greatest city in the world (according to him) at 111 W. 11th in the Village. It was an exciting time to live in the Big Apple and he loved it. After graduating from SRT in 1952 he began a career working as a newsman and editor in NYC (working in the same office as Edward R. Murrow), Virginia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Portland and finally Seattle. He met his wife Karin, a recent immigrant from Germany, in 1959. They were married in 1960 and had 4 children.
In Seattle Chuck was the editorial director at KIRO TV until 1974 when he left broadcasting to devote himself to writing full time. His clients included corporations, universities and political leaders. He was also the author of several non-fiction books under his own name and as a ghostwriter for several other notable persons.
Chuck lived for the last 24 years in the Crossroads area of Bellevue. He was well known and liked by the people he would visit on an almost daily basis at the grocery store and bank. Chuck played tennis into his 70’s, always loved a good mystery and was a ruthless cribbage player. He was mostly a classical music guy with favorites such as Bolero and Beethoven’s 9th but he also enjoyed singing along to Hey Jude and Yellow Submarine. He hitchhiked across the country a few times as a young man (mostly after driving to Vegas) and so rarely hesitated to pick up hitchhikers as an older man, sometimes bringing them home to dinner.
He was a loving husband, father and grandfather. He took great pride in his children and grandchildren no matter what. The greatest love of his life was Karin.
Chuck’s last years were painful but he still managed to make his rounds to his friends in Crossroads. When the cancer came, he decided to make his peace with God and accept the end surrounded by his loving family. He will be greatly missed and never forgotten but we know he is happy and whole with his loved ones who have gone before.
We are especially grateful to Evergreen Hospice and the nurses and social workers who helped Dad and the family in our time of need. In lieu of flowers, please make remembrance in Dad’s name to this wonderful organization.
Rest in peace, Dad. Until we meet again.