Montrose - Daily Press

My name is Jeanne Boylan, one of six children born to Tom and Jean Boylan of Montrose. My parents eloped from New York City in 1947 order to marry and raise a family in what was then a small and hidden western town. With great pride, they purchased their first home together in the late 40s. Over a span of 13 years, all six children were bundled up in cotton and driven home from Montrose Memorial Hospital, just two blocks away, and carried up the concrete steps of the house we'd all live in through high school graduation. It remains our family home to this day.

Over the years, my father became a Montrose volunteer fireman who loved driving the mascot fire truck in the Main Street parades. He was part of the summer softball teams behind the high school, a beaming father as his kids played sports, or swam competitively, and rode in the county rodeos on the arthritic horse he bought for us all.  We could outrun that horse, but he'd chosen it specifically for us so that we would be sure to be safe.

"Tom" as he was affectionately called about town, wanted a to make a life for my mother and us that he'd never had growing up on the rough streets of the Bronx and Manhattan as they existed back then. His love of Colorado grew so deep and enduring that from age19 to 82, he never went east again. The only NY trace left in him was a glimpse now and then in his 'tough guy' humor or mannerisms.

Tom and Jean Boylan in 1947. Advertisement

Then Dad "went missing" as the expression goes, on Oct. 20, 2009. There was no sign of what could have happened. Phone calls and emails began instantly pouring in when the news broke that he had vanished.  Concerns and prayers came from people whose his lives he had touched, from those whose cars he had towed when they'd been broken down, or whose kids he had driven to school when the snow was piled high, people whose furniture he's helped move, or pipes he'd helped fix, or those he'd drive to and from work, just to make sure that they get there okay. His "thing" he believed, was to help those were were needy, a value he held to his core. On Saturday nights, he would escort the "old people" to and from their pews at mass, until they day came when Tom became the one who needed a hand.

For 62 years, my father called that little town his "home." And Montrose paid him back in grandiose fashion in these two torturous weeks since he disappeared with all the outpouring of help that was given to us in trying to bring him home.

Scott's Print Shop donated their services, old high school friends from all of our MHS classes banded together to distribute flyers, delivering them to every possible location in and outside of town. More called in from neighboring counties offering to search along the highways they frequently traveled.  Dad's fellow Elks stepped up offering "anything we can do, anything at all," they said. Church members brought food and hugs and offered up prayers from state wide. And old friend named Tim Heavers took his own time and money to fly his plane over any route that my father might have taken in the event he'd broken down and been stranded somehow without help. The town cared about what had happened and they showed it in magnificent ways.

Would any of that have taken place had my father remained in New York? Would anyone have noticed his absence? Or was this proof that he'd truly found the good life that he'd come searching for?  

My Dad made two great decisions in his lifetime.  The first was to marry my mother. The second was to pick Montrose, Colorado as their special place to settle down.

Dad was found on Nov. 15, 16 days after he'd last been seen. Montrose Police Chief Tom Chinn gently told us the news: "Your dad failed to negotiate a sharp curve on a steep mountain pass" he advised. Ironically, he gone off the road at the same location from which my parents had their honeymoon photos taken more than sixty two years ago. His old truck had found its way 400 feet down to the bottom of the dark and treacherous canyon, hidden from passersby and nearly covered in snow. And only through the Grace of God and the efforts of searchers, it was spotted before the next storm buried him until spring.

Though the wait was excruciating and the hunt for him was indescribably hard, my family is grateful beyond words to have been so deeply and profoundly reminded of what an exceptional town we grew up in.

This little western town that my father had so purposely chosen to raise his children in is indeed where values still matter, where people still reach out when they know you need a hand, where friends come through when they know you're in pain, and where we don't forget our common experiences. A town where the term "love thy neighbor as thyself" has just been proven to be literal.

On behalf of the Boylan family, we want to thank every person who came forward to help us find Dad.  Thank you Montrose Police Department for your tireless work. And thank you Montrose for being what you've always been, a town with a heart, a soul and a place that my father was and my family will always will be so very proud to call "home."

 

Comments

Clint Amy Anders wrote on Nov 9, 2009 10:36 AM:

" I loved all of Tom’s stories about his lifetime of adventures. I admired his devotion to his faith, his strong opinions, his since of humor, and his compassion for others. I’m a better person today because of his friendship. I know how much he loved his family, and I’m truly sorry for your loss, and the brutal last two weeks. I’m so relieved he has been found. Now we can celebrate the legacy Tom has left. "




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Clay Howlett wrote on Nov 8, 2009 4:48 PM:

" Having known the Boylan family since 1966, My heart and and prayers go out to each of you. I have a lot of fond memories of this family along with all of the wonderful memories of growing up in this wonderful community. It's respectable people like the Boylans that make Montrose a quality community, a place I call home. God Bless You All. "




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Terry Fitzwilliams Rogers wrote on Nov 7, 2009 5:48 PM:

" I remember "the horse", it was Pokey. He was the best kid's horse. He lifted his foot & held it suspended in the air after I handed the belly strap to Catherine while holding his reigns. oops, I'm a city cousin from New England.... It was 1967 your family made so many strong impressions in my memories, I will always cherish. "




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TimmieSue wrote on Nov 7, 2009 2:37 PM:

" Rest in Peace, Dad. I love you "




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Fran Noonan wrote on Nov 7, 2009 9:18 AM:

" May God bless your family for all you have endured. Tom was indeed, a"friend" to all. He is truly the man men should aspire to be. Thank you for sharing him with Montrose. "




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The Daly Family wrote on Nov 7, 2009 9:06 AM:

" our deepest sympathies for your father,he was a GREAT GREAT Man he will be sorley missed by all "




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Cynthia Caron wrote on Nov 7, 2009 7:23 AM:

" My prayers for you and your family. We all held hopes that he would have been found safely. My very best in your healing.

His memory is your keepsake
From which It willl never part
God has him in his keeping
You have him always in your heart.

Cynthia Caron
Executive Director-Founder
LostNMissing, Inc "




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