This week Oxford mourns the loss of 20-year-old Scott Boyl.
Scott graduated with honors from Oxford High School in 2002. He was 16th in his class and earned a letter for his academic accomplishments.
On Sunday, Dec. 5 gutsy Scott Boyl lost a two-year battle with a recently diagnosed blood disorder called myelodysplastic syndrome.
‘Scott never complained,? said his mother Nina Boyl, adding that the best thing she learned from her son was determination.
‘He never quit until he got it right,? Nina said. In fact, added his father Jim Boyl, Scott didn’t complain enough.
But that was Scott.
Until receiving a bone marrow transplant, from his brother Jeff , 25, two weeks ago, Scott maintained a rigorous schedule as a PHi Eta Sigma student at Kettering University in Flint. Scott’s family credits his collegiate choice to positive experiences he had with auto instructor Dan Balsey at OHS and the fact that he was able to remain close to his family.
Maintaining an academic rating in the top 97 percent at Kettering, Nina said Scott was so dedicated, his friends often had to drag him away from homework. Although Scott ranked in the upper one-percent of the National Dean’s List, he never bragged about his success.
‘He was very humble and so unassuming,? said sister Crystal Boyl, 22. ‘That’s what made him so endearing.?
In addition to his class load, the engineering hopeful was working for Z.F. Lemforder in Lapeer.
Scott was recently credited by Lemforder for redesigning a material handling system, which his dad said will ultimately save the company both time and money.
‘He always wanted to make things work better, but he was so much more than smart,? said long time friend Jim Burgess.
Whether fixing a car or helping a friend in need, Burgess said Scott was the first to jump in and get the job done.
‘If anyone needed help, Scott would always be there,? added brother Tony Boyl, 18.
‘It was just his nature,? Nina said, adding she was not surprised to learn her son had been making special trips to Flint to help his friend Willie study. Ironically, Nina said Willie had no idea Scott was making the trips solely for him.
‘Willie thought it was a coincidence Scott was at the library whenever he was there,? Nina and Crystal said in unison.
‘It is just his nature,? Nina softly repeated.
While Scott liked hockey, paint ball, and mountain biking, his dad said their mild-mannered son preferred to stay home with his family, often working on cars with persistence until the job was done.
Being raised in a family that does everything together, from vacationing to hunting, each Boyl child now has a treasure chest full of priceless memories of Scott.
‘We are as close-knit as a family can get,? Tony said. He recalled yearly hunting trips with his brothers and dad ? trips Jim Boyl said were more about hanging out with each other than hunting deer.
To his older brother Jeff, Scott was his best friend and the voice of reason. To Crystal, her little brother was someone to look up to. She was in awe of his humility.
To Tony, his older brother was someone to respect.
‘My brother is my best friend? were words that echoed from each of them.
It’s not often you hear parents say they learned from their children, but Jim said he learned how to respect his kids from following Scott’s example.
‘These kids were like one unit,? said Jim. ‘I learned respect for my kids from him and was always in awe of him.?
‘He was all the things I probably should be.?
As more than 500 people gathered to celebrate Scott’s life, many expressed sorrow, gratitude, and amazement for having known his wisdom, strength, unassuming nature, compassion, and loyalty.
The family wishes to express their deep gratitude for the words of comfort they continue to receive from this community.
‘The support is overwhelming and we are very grateful,? the Boyls said. ‘We can’t express howe grateful we are.?
For further information or donations toward Myelodysplastic Syndromes visit the web site www.aamds.org or write to AA & MDSIF, P.O. Box 613, Annapolis, MD 21404-0613.