Tom Boyle, age 82, life-long resident of Des Plaines passed away on December 18, 2020 in his home under hospice care. He was born September 12, 1938, the son of the late Michael Boyle and Johanna (Cooney) Boyle. Beloved brother of Catherine (Boyle) Shaffer, Patrick Kent, Eileen Kent and the late Margaret (Boyle) Taylor, Elizabeth (Boyle) Dockter, Jeanne Boyle and his treasured dog Boru. He was a dear uncle to his many nieces and nephews and grandniece and grandnephews. He served as a Corpsman in the Air Force after high school. He had a distinguished career in sales in the printing industry from rollers to ink. Most of his spare time was spent as a volunteer at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. He was a board member and during his tour as President was instrumental in hosting at the IAHC the President of Ireland. He devoted many hours from digging tunnels in the early days to establishing the library at the center. He wrote "Boyle the Kettle" in the Irish American News for many years. Tom was instrumental in gathering help from the local pipefitters union in Chicago to help build the Jeanne Johnston Famine Memorial ship that sailed to America and is now docked in Dublin. He loved to travel and especially his trips to Ireland. He was a great and devoted friend to many. A celebration of Tom's life will be held in the future at the Irish American Heritage Center. For information please call the funeral home at (847) 699-9003.