Boylan remembered by family and close friends

Nov. 21—Although retired Army Maj. Gen. Peter J. Boylan Jr. is no longer living, his legacy is likely to be remembered forever in Milledgeville and Baldwin County.

Boylan was the longest serving president in the history of Georgia Military College with 21 years in the position. And before leaving a legacy at the institution of higher learning, Boylan had a distinguished military career that earned him several medals for bravery. He was a Vietnam veteran and was critically wounded while serving in 1966.

He died peacefully on Sunday, Nov. 12, at his Lake Sinclair home in Milledgeville surrounded by his wife of 62 years, Kathy, and the couple's two sons and three daughters. He was 87.

Three of his children, one son-in-law and four grandchildren all graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Boylan also graduated from West Point and taught there for four years.

"Thank you to all the people in Milledgeville and Baldwin County, surrounding counties and the state of Georgia for welcoming and adopting my parents in this lovely community," said son Peter J. Boylan III during opening remarks at his father's funeral service Saturday at Northridge Christian Church.

He said his parents had truly enjoyed the close friends they made during their 30-plus years in Milledgeville.

Army Col. Fred Van Horn (Ret.) was one of Boylan's closest friends.

Van Horn served under Boylan's command and was his chief of staff for a period. They renewed their working relationship and friendship when Van Horn joined the staff at GMC, once again serving under Boylan.

He said Boylan highly regarded his faith, his country, his family, the 82nd Airborne Division and Georgia Military College.

"Those were his passions and remained so through his life," Van Horn said.

He said he and Boylan traveled a lot together.

"The conversations were rich," Van Horn recalled, noting that most were related to Boylan's family. "He loved his family. My job was to ask the first question. That would start off an inventory. He would start off with the oldest all the way down to the youngest grandchild."

Van Horn said heaven help him if another grandchild was born between fishing trips because that would stretch it out another 10 minutes.

"But he loved them and he was proud of them," Van Horn said.

He said he wanted Boylan to be remembered as a man who commanded an infantry division that numbered 10,000 men.

Van Horn also talked about the love and admiration that Boylan had for his wife, Kathy.

"Amazing was every second word," Van Horn said. "He was enthralled with her enthusiasm, energy and couldn't understand how she handled the hundreds of things she seemed to take lightly. It was an expression of love for her and for all the children that dominated most of our conversations."

In 1995, when Van Horn arrived at GMC, he said he walked into Boylans's office, and he motioned him to a seat.

He said when their eyes locked he knew there was something important about to come out of Boylan's mouth.

"His first sentence came out," Van Horn said. "It was one word."

That word was "character."

Boylan told Van Horn that it was a word he wanted to hear at GMC a lot.

It led to the birth of the character Word of the Week at the junior college and prep school.

Sonny Harmon worked under the late former GMC president for several years.

From 1992-94, the school was in dire need of repairs.

Boylan was relentless in finding ways to make the needed repairs and eventually, the school got past those hurdles.

Harmon said Boylan's heart was always with the people he led.

"His vision was so far ahead of where we were, we were just dumbfounded," Harmon said. "He had such confidence in himself and his ability to do the job that he just sort of brought us along. We didn't really deserve to be there. He was more than we deserved."

Harmon said his admiration and respect grew over the years.

And before long, it was love for Boylan.

Harmon said Boylan was a true servant leader.

"As you look around this room right now, you can see many of the people he allowed to lead, grow and prosper under his leadership," Harmon said. "Most people are content to spend just a few minutes in the presence of greatness. We were given a special gift from Gen. Boylan."

Rob Sherwood shared stories as well.

If Boylan wasn't busy in his office, he enjoyed walking the school hallways and popping into classrooms.

"It was utterly terrifying to see that door open and his face pop in," Sherwood said.

Boylan was always respectful, asking if he could come in.

Sherwood said he was grateful his path in life crossed with Boylan's.

John Thornton, meanwhile, said other than his father, Boylan had a great impact on his life.

Thornton said Boylan forged relationships with state leaders at a time when GMC needed it most.

"He was able to win their trust and gain their support," Thornton said.

Boylan always knew what he was talking about and cared about GMC, he said.

Thornton said character and integrity described the type of man Boylan was as a leader.

Neighbor Harold Mason said behind every great man, there is a great woman.

The two families were members of the Supper Club, the Mystery Club and went on trips together.

"I have lots of great memories," Mason said.

Music professor Moona Yu talked about her working relationship and friendship with Boylan.

"He made me feel that he cared about what we were doing," Yu said.

She said Boylan always supported her and the music program at GMC.

Yu also played piano during the service. Her final piece was "God Bless America," and those in attendance stood and sang along.

Another longtime friend, David Sinclair, addressed the large crowd in the church sanctuary.

Sinclair, who is Scottish, wore his kilt.

"I have to inform you all my good friend, Peter, when he first saw me wearing my kilt he said, it is very appropriate David you wear your kilt at every opportunity," Sinclair said. "It is a symbol of your honor to your country of birth, Scotland, and also to your family, the Clan Sinclair."

Sinclair said to be honorable was never too far away at any time from Boylan's thinking.

"Today, I am not only honored to be wearing my kilt, but I am also especially honored and privileged to have been asked to speak to you all on this very special, but sad occasion," Sinclair said.

He said that he was greatly inspired by Boylan.

"He encouraged both my wife, CC and I in all of our endeavors, and we will be forever thankful to him for his advice, his support and sincere and genuine friendship," Sinclair said. "Peter and I, of course, enjoyed sharing quality time together as often as possible with a wee dram of scotch single malt whiskey in hand. If you, Kathy, the Boylan family, as well as the church do not mind, I think it only correct I make a toast to my dear friend Peter to assist in sending him on his way."

Before he drank a small glass of whiskey, Sinclair said the wee dram was a 16-year-old Lagavulin single malt distilled on the Island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland.

"It was a particular favorite of Peter's, not just for its taste. It also stimulated both of us to tell many of our true to life stories."

Sinclair then sang, "My toast is to you, Peter. Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind. Should Auld Acquaintance be forgot and days of Auld Lang Syne. God speed Peter — Slant'e Mahath."

Baldwin County Sheriff Bill Massee also spoke.

He said everyone who had come up to the podium to say something about Boylan was different.

"A lot of people don't know this, buy you don't just become a major general without family support," Massee said.

He said people didn't just look at him from a military standpoint, they look at the totality of the man.

"His management style was support me, and I will embrace you; help me lead or get the hell out of the way, this train is coming down the track."

While serving as president of GMC, Boylan told people he was going to change the school.

"And that's exactly what he did," Massee said.

The Rev. David Luke, chaplain at GMC, also spoke.

"He respected me as a man of God, but I was often called to the president's office for meetings in the early, early hours," Luke said. "And I trembled with fear every time he called my phone. He would never call at a regular hour."

Boylan always set the time for such meetings.

"He was overwhelmingly compassionate about the things he did," Luke said.

The pastor of 27 years said Boylan loved this country with all of his heart.

"He was courageous beyond words," Luke said.

The service ended with comments from the Boylan's second son, retired Army Col. Gregory L. Boylan.