Samuel Boyko, 87, of North Smithfield, died Thursday at Landmark Medical Center. He was the husband of Ruth E. (Daudlin) Boyko and the late Cecelia (Remillard) Boyko who died in 1989.
Born in Blackstone, he was a son of the late Michael and Irene (Magerowska) Boyko. He was raised in Blackstone and lived there until moving to North Smithfield where he made his home for over 50 years.
Mr. Boyko was a veteran of the United States Navy serving in the Pacific Theatre during WWII. Samuel served aboard the destroyer USS Stenbel and received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 8 stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 stars, the American Area Medal and the Victory Medal.
Locally Sam was well-known as the proprietor of Sam Boyko Garage in North Smithfield operating his business for over 30 years before retiring in the early 1980s.
Sam was a member of the Cercle Laurier and the Forestdale VFW Post 6342. Among his many hobbies and interests he was a private pilot, avid sportsman and hunter, and a gourmet cook. Sam was a scuba diving instructor in Boston harbor in the early days of scuba and received numerous awards from local fishing and striper clubs.
A Renaissance man, Sam learned to play the organ and maintained a lifelong sense of adventure that lead to many memorable experiences and saw him visit many countries as a world traveler in his retirement years.
Sam will be remembered as an amazing father and role model for his family and those privileged to know him. Sam’s family wishes to express their gratitude to the many health care workers who cared for their dad over the past several years.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by four daughters Brenda Bean (Alan) of Hamilton, Bermuda, Holly Dunnigan (Harold) of Santa Monica CA, Dale L’Esperance (Russell) and Kerry Boyko all of North Smithfield, and his great-niece Monica Neyman of Burrillville. He was the brother of the late Peter, John, Nicholas “Mickey”, and Frank Boyko, Mary Phaneuf, Catherine Budnick and Helen Green. Samuel is also survived by two grandchildren Sgt. Leon Branchaud, USMC, and Jarrod Gorman (Lynne), two great-grandchildren Brendan and Jack, and many nieces and nephews and their families.
His Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 10:00 am in Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church, Park Ave. Woonsocket with military honors following the church service. Burial will be private. Visiting hours are omitted. At the request of the family, please omit flowers. Arrangements are by the Menard-Lacouture Funeral Home, 127 Carrington Ave., Woonsocket.
www.menardfuneralhome.com