Gene 'Butch' Boyle, 73

Gene “Butch” Boyle passed away Monday, May 16, 2016, at Hidden Meadow Memory Care. His wife and two daughters were at his side.

He was born to Eugene and Susan Boyle on May 22, 1942, in Cut Bank, Mont. Gene married his wife Barbara Whiteley on Aug. 3, 1968, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. They had their first daughter, Brenda, in May 1969 in Coeur d’Alene and their daughter, Deanna, in October 1974 in Choteau, Mont.

He attended St. Margaret’s Catholic Elementary School then Cut Bank High School, graduating in 1960. He participated in football, basketball and track.

Gene earned his Bachelor of Science degree in math and science education from Carroll College in 1964. He was inducted into the Carroll College Alumni Hall of Fame in 2009.

His first teaching and coaching job took him to Immaculate Heart of Mary High School in Coeur d’Alene. The teams there were very successful, going four years undefeated in football and winning back-to-back state basketball championships in 1967 and 1968. They had baseball in tact, then added track and he coached both simultaneously. Gene was the only male full-time teacher on a faculty of IHM sisters. The years at IHM have been referred to as the Camelot years for the people involved; it certainly was. In the summers of 1964 to 1968, he and Charlie Nipp coached the Legion baseball teams and made many memories.

In 1970, he accepted a job at Lewiston High School as head basketball coach and assistant football and track coach. In 1972, he was hired as Choteau’s head football coach and assistant basketball and track coach.

In 1976, Gene accepted the position at Flathead High School as head football coach and dean of students. He coached the Braves for five seasons, playing for the state championship in 1981. In the fall of 1981, he became the activities director, a job he held until 1998.

Gene then retired from School District 5 and accepted the principal position at St. Matthew’s Catholic School. He thought it was only fitting that since he started his career at a Catholic school, he should end it at a Catholic school. St. Matt’s was K-6 until 2002, at which time they added seventh grade, then in 2003 added eighth grade. This meant, of course, they had to have a Saints football team!

He was also able to coach again at Flathead High School as assistant football and head softball coach until 2004. The Bravette softball team won the State title in 2003. In 2004, Gene was named a legend for the renaming of the football field to Legends Field. He was principal at St. Matt’s for 11 years, retiring in 2009.

Gene was preceded in death by his father, Eugene Boyle Sr. and mother Susan (O’Loughlin) Boyle. He is survived by his wife, Barbara; and their daughters, Brenda (Keith Boone) and Deanna (Chris McElwee); his three grandsons, Tanner Boone, and Owen and Teague McElwee; his brother, Tom and wife Sheila; his aunts, Gertrude Peterson and Ann Anderson; his sister-in-law, Mickey Goolie; as well as seven nieces, one nephew and several cousins.

Gene’s family would especially like to thank Hidden Meadow Memory Care Center for their wonderful care the last few months. Everyone who visited him during his time there commented on the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff. Pat Zinke and the caregivers are absolutely fantastic!

An evening of sharing will be held at 6 p.m. Sunday, June 5, 2016, in the Flathead High School gym. A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, June 6, 2016, at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Alzheimer’s Association International Research Program, 225 N. Michigan Ave. Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601; St. Matthew’s Parish, 602 S. Main St., Kalispell, MT 59901; or Flathead High School Activities Fund, 644 Fourth Ave. W., Kalispell, MT 59901.

We invite you to share a personal memory by sending to: memoriesofgeneboyle@gmail.com.

Johnson-Gloschat Funeral Home is caring for the Boyle family.