Jonathan S. Boyd, 85, who was born and raised in Jamaica Plain and lived most of his life and raised his family in Lowell, died peacefully in his sleep on May 27, surrounded by his loving family.
Jonathan was born on Oct. 19, 1939, the fourth and youngest son and child of the late Dr. Phillips L. Boyd and Frances Anderson Boyd. A Mayflower descendant through his mother’s line, Jonathan attended Jamaica Plain schools and graduated from the Chauncy Hall School before attending the University of Massachusetts. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1962 and proudly served his country for two years, stationed in Korea.
He met Christine Zabierek, of Malden, for the first time at UMass. They later fell in love and were married in 1967 at Jonathan’s boyhood home in Jamaica Plain. They celebrated their 57th anniversary in 2024.
After working at Commodore Foods in Lowell, he joined Brilliant Seafood, Inc., in Boston. He also held a similar position with Fishery Products Intl. in Danvers, before his retirement.
He loved Boston sports teams and nothing was going to keep him from the 2004 World Series Championship Parade. He also loved to tell the story of being in attendance when Bobby Orr scored the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1970. He cheered on all of his grandchildren in their respective sports and activities.
Jonathan was also a skilled woodworker and carpenter, who loved to make customized toddler chairs for his grandchildren and others. He loved to travel and was a “50-stater.” He also enjoyed vacationing with his grandchildren. Even with so many travels around the country and the world, his favorite vacation spot was in New Hampshire’s White Mountains.
Jonathan is survived by his beloved wife Christine, his daughter Samantha Toomey and her husband Daniel of Auburn, his son Christopher and his wife Ronit of Voorhees, N.J., and his son Joshua and his wife Nicole, of Amesbury. He was incredibly proud of his 10 grandchildren: Connor and his wife Gisele, Ayla and her fiancee Christian, Jacob, Niamh, Adina, Declan, Eden, Jonathan, Anderson and Maya. He will also be missed by nephews and nieces, and family friends. He was predeceased by his brothers David, Phillips and Stephen.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Lowell Folk Festival at Lowell Festival Foundation, PO Box 217, Lowell, MA 01853 or online at https://lowellfolkfestival.org/pages/donate. Jonathan loved the Lowell Folk Festival, and he enjoyed the event every year with many of his grandchildren over decades full of wonderful memories.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 7, at 11 a.m. at the Lowell Cemetery Chapel.
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