John T. “Jake” Boylan
John T. “Jake” Boylan, 91, passed away on January 18, 2026, leaving behind a life defined by service, family, friendship, and quiet confidence. Born on November 10, 1934, in Easton, Pennsylvania, Jake was the son of late John M. and Anna (Gier) Boylan. A proud graduate of Easton Area High School’s Class of 1952, Jake was a standout football and baseball player. It is also where he met the love of his life, Joan (Brinker).
Jake enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, and while home on leave, married Joan – beginning a 71-year marriage filled with devotion, laughter, and shared adventures. After returning home, Jake built a long and successful career at Ingersoll-Rand in Phillipsburg, NJ, rising through the ranks to Manager, Employee Relations before retiring in 1990. Retirement only opened new doors. Alongside his good friend Ron Morrow, he launched J&R Impressions, a silk-screening business, and later served as a Sheriff’s Security Screening Officer at the Northampton County Courthouse.
Jake was well known to many as a respected PIAA sports official in high school football as well as high school and college basketball. Confident and fair, he believed strongly in presence and preparation. He was quoted saying, “You have to sell a call. A lackluster official might make the greatest calls in the world, but if he can’t convince everybody that it’s the right call, they’ll doubt his expertise.” Wise words he lived by. Golf was one of Jake’s great joys, and he was a founding member of Miz’s Rejects golf league. He and Joan also treasured family vacations, especially their time in Siesta Key, where they formed lifelong friendships with their cherished “Siesta Family”. He was a faithful parishioner of St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church.
Jake was also a member of Safety First and the Palmer Township Fire Company, where camaraderie and a frosted mug of Bud were always appreciated.
Jake is survived by his beloved wife, Joan; children Judi Compton of Palmer Township, Jill Cicero of West Easton, and Jeff Boylan and his husband Peter Ezrin of Newton, MA; grandchildren and great-grandchildren Erica, Bob, Derek and Addison Chace of Leonia, NJ, Lesley, Frank, Emily and Elena Battaglia of Atlanta, GA, Sean Smith, his fiancé Carli Edling and their daughter Faye Smith of Levittown, PA, and Patti Jo Cicero of West Easton, PA. He also leaves behind his sister Eileen Pescek of Palmer Township. In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his son-in-laws Bob Compton and Joe Cicero, and siblings James (Squirt) Boylan, Patricia Boylan, and Marie Dornsife.
A viewing will be held on Friday, January 23, 2026, from 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. at St. Jane Frances de Chantal Church, 4049 Hartley Avenue, Easton, PA, followed by Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. The Finegan Funeral Homes of Phillipsburg & Alpha are coordinating arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Varsity E Club, c/o Kerry Meyers, 1115 Dunkle Street, Easton, PA 18045.