(10 May 1861-13 Nov. 1933), merchant. Born in Bathurst, N. B. Parents: Mr & Mrs Hugh Boyle. He came to Alexandria about the early 1890s, and during some four decades operated a grocery store there, which over many years included an ice-cream parlour. The grocery store was first at the railway station, then was moved to the downtown in early 1893. When Lord Roberts captured Pretoria in the Boer War a procession of boys paraded in triumph through the streets of Alexandria and “Mr. J.A. Macdonell, Q.C. treated them to a dish of ice-cream at Jno Boyle’s ice-cream parlor.” (Glengarry News 8 June 1900; J.A. Macdonell of this dictionary) After Boyle’s death Sebastien Laporte took over his grocery business, as of 1 Jan. 1934. (GN 8 & 29 Dec. 1933) John Boyle was married twice, his second wife being Annie McPhee (one child) Boyle was an important part of the merchant community of Alexandria from the great days of Alexandria industrialism through to the first grim years of the Depression. Described in his obituary as “a man of quiet demeanor,” he served on the town council and was a member of the Knights of Columbus but he seems to have lacked the zeal of many of his townsmen for public affairs, sports and adventurous business investments. Roman Catholic. He was buried at Carleton Place, Ont.

Glengarry News 17 Nov. 1933 * Ostrom 83 * adverts. in GN for his store over many years