Father Stephen M. Boyle, a proud South Boston native born March 21, 1965, and the son of the late Vincent and Dorothy (Darling) Boyle; and brother of John and Patricia, both of Weymouth; Paul, Norwell; and Brian, Reading, died on Jan. 17, 2022.

He attended Gate of Heaven Grammar School, South Boston; Boston College High School, Dorchester; and Stonehill College, North Easton, prior to entering St. John Seminary.

Since his ordination by Bernard Cardinal Law on May 20, 1995, he served as parochial vicar at St. Francis Xavier, Weymouth (1995-2000); Immaculate Conception, Malden (2000-2003); Emmanuel College, Boston, Campus Ministry (2003-2010), during which assignment he was in residence at St. James, Medford (2003-2004); Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted, Waltham (2004-2006); and St. Bernard, Newton (2006-2010). Father Boyle also served as pastor of Incarnation of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Parish, Melrose (2010-2014); as administrator at St. Joseph, Quincy (2014-2018), and at St. Christine, Marshfield (2018-2021).

Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley presided at the funeral Mass at Gate of Heaven Church, South Boston, on Jan. 25. North Regional Bishop Mark O'Connell was the principal celebrant; among the concelebrants were Bishop Peter Uglietto, vicar general and moderator of the curia; Father Frank Silva, Concord/Carlisle, who was the homilist. Others were Father Robert E. Casey, pastor of Gate of Heaven Parish; South Regional Vicar, Father Robert Connors; classmates Msgr. Kevin O'Leary, rector of Holy Cross Cathedral; Father Brian Mahoney, Chelmsford; Father Michael Dolan, Northwest Catholic High, Hartford, Conn.; and also archdiocesan clergy personnel director, Father Robert Blaney; and Father Christopher Boyle, presently parochial vicar at Gate of Heaven parish.

Father Boyle was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, Dorchester.