Lifelong Westfield is very proud to celebrate Judge John “Jack” M. Boyle in this month’s Senior Spotlight. Jack, 92, grew up in Elizabeth, serving in the United States Army in Germany after World War II, and started his career as a practicing attorney in 1954.

Jack and his wife, Jean Marie, started their family in Elizabeth before moving to a home on Kimball Turn in 1967. Jack said that the “time was right to move to Westfield.” He purchased it immediately after seeing it, knowing that it was the perfect fit for a growing family. The couple had seven children at the time and two more were born after they moved to Westfield. Jack recalled that Jean Marie, who passed away in 1986, loved being a stay-at-home mom. “She was the most wonderful mother and was so good at it,” he said. Jack remembers his children walking to school and skating on Mindowaskin Pond. The “friendliness, beauty and charm, along with a good school system” are what Jack said he loves most about Westfield.

Jack remarried in 1988 to Lois Powers Boyle, who passed away in 2020. Boyle now is a grandfather to 11 children and a great-grandfather to 15.

From 1964 to 1984, Jack worked in the part-time position of administrative judge for the Waterfront Commission of New York and New Jersey, which investigates and combats criminal activity and influence in the Port of New York.

In 1984, Governor Tom Kean appointed him to the New Jersey Superior Court. After retiring from the bench in 1999, he continued to practice law as a mediator and arbitrator for Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook, and Cooper in Westfield.

Along with his numerous professional accomplishments in law, Jack served a term on the City Council of Elizabeth in 1954 and served as the chairman of the Union County Planning Board in 1967.

He has also volunteered and served on numerous charitable boards, including serving as president of the Advisory Board of John E. Runnells Hospital as well as for the Center for Hope.

Additionally, Jack was a member of various organizations, including the Junior Chamber of Commerce, the Knights of Columbus, and the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, which named him the “Irishman of the Year” in 1981.

Jack is an avid reader of history, listening to jazz, taking care of koi fish in his backyard pond, and spending time at his shore house on Long Beach Island with his loving family.

When asked what advice Jack has to offer younger people moving to Westfield today, he answered, “be neighborly, and get involved, like volunteering or donating to those less fortunate.”

Jack added: “Hold your children accountable for their schooling and behavior,” and lastly: “teach your children kindness, gratitude and acceptance.”

Jack has many notable memories after living almost 60 years in Westfield, but some of his most memorable include his annual Christmas night open houses, watching his nine children grow into adults and the opening of 16 Prospect Wine Bar & Bistro, which is owned by his sons, Westfield treasures, Tim and Chris Boyle.

Jack’s daughter, Genevieve, a paraprofessional at Jefferson School who also lives in Westfield, said her dad is especially proud to have made a donation of land he owned on Monmouth Road in Elizabeth to the Catholic Church.

As a result of the donation, the parish extended him the opportunity to name the church and he chose St. Genevieve, the patron saint of Paris. Jack’s mother was named after the saint as well as his daughter.

“My dad is such a humble person; he has done so much good in his life that he never talks about,” Genevieve said.

After spending time with the retired judge, it’s clear that humility is one of his defining traits.

Westfield is all the better to have such a kind and larger-than-life resident in Jack Boyle.

Senior Spotlight is sponsored by Lifelong Westfield, an initiative of the Mayor’s Senior Advisory Council, a volunteer group that includes representatives of the Westfield Town Council, Westfield United Fund, Westfield Senior Citizens Housing, a geriatric physician, and other volunteers. The organization aims to help residents “age in place” by serving as a centralized clearinghouse for activities and services that help seniors and their caregivers.