Our Westerville High School Class of 1970 lost another classmate with the passing of Bruce Roland Boylan on September 22, 2026, at the age of 74. Bruce died at his home in Reynoldsburg, surrounded by his family.

Bruce was born June 7, 1952, and grew up in Westerville, graduating with our class in 1970. His life after Westerville High School took him through military service, a long professional career, and, most importantly, a life centered around his family.

Following high school, Bruce served in the United States Air Force, where he worked with the Minuteman missile system. That experience helped lead to a career in facilities management that would eventually include work in steel and aluminum mills and involvement with the transitions of the former Newark and Rickenbacker Air Force bases.

Later in his career, Bruce became Director of the Facilities Office for the Catholic Diocese of Columbus. During his six years there, he was responsible for facilities and construction projects throughout the diocese. Bruce and his staff also worked extensively on energy-efficiency improvements at churches and schools, efforts that earned recognition from AEP Ohio.

When Bruce retired in 2020, the Catholic Times published a wonderful article about him. It gives us something especially valuable now—the opportunity to hear Bruce describe his life and career in his own words. Looking back on his years with the Diocese, Bruce said simply, “I’ve enjoyed the people I work with.” Those who worked alongside him spoke warmly of the knowledge and experience he shared with them.

But Bruce’s story was about much more than his career.

He and his wife, Linda, shared 54 years of marriage. Together they raised three children—Tanya, Patrick and Kathryn—and Bruce became the proud grandfather of Ashely, Anabele and Garrett. To his grandchildren, he wasn’t Bruce or Mr. Boylan. He was simply “Papa,” a role his family says meant a great deal to him.

Retirement gave Bruce and Linda more time to enjoy some of the things they loved together. They spent time on Lake Erie, boating aboard their Sea Ray with the wonderfully appropriate name “No Bad Dayz.” Bruce also enjoyed camping, bird watching, reading—especially science fiction—and music.

Bruce and Linda made their home in Reynoldsburg and were members of St. Pius X Church.



For those of us who knew Bruce as a young man in Westerville, it is remarkable to look across the more than half-century that followed our graduation. The young man who left Westerville High School in 1970 went on to serve his country, build a successful career, raise a family, become a grandfather, and share more than five decades of life with Linda.

Obituary