Michael Patrick Boyle, April 24, 1966 to June 24, 2002

MICHAEL PATRICK BOYLE 36, of Chicago, and grandson of WALTER & ANNABELLE CRAIG of Anthon, died Monday, June 24, 2002, at his residence of cardiomyopathy. Services were held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Sioux City. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery following the services.

Mike was born in Sioux City on April 24, 1966. He lived there until the age of 5 when his family moved to Rockwell City, Iowa. He grew up and attended school there, graduating from Rockwell City High School in 1984. He was in vocal music groups, musicals and plays, and was on the golf team. He attended Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa, graduating in 1991 with a degree in electrical engineering. He was active at the St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Student Center. He was in the ISU men’s choral group his freshman year.

Mike dreamed of being a pilot, began his flight training at the university where he earned his private pilot’s license, and enjoyed being a member of the Iowa State Flying Club. He continued taking additional flight training, earned his instrument and commercial ratings, and became a certified flight instructor and an instrument instructor. He did flight instruction and charter flying for Iowa State University and CY Aviation in Boone, Iowa. He then obtained his multi-engine instructor ratings. He began working for Great Lakes Airlines as a charter pilot, advanced to its commuter planes, earned his air transport certificate and served first as first officer and then as captain, instructor and check airman.

He lived in many cities in Great Lakes’ service area, with the longest period being in Spencer, Iowa. He especially loved being near Lake Okoboji and spent many hours there with friends and family. In 1998, he was hired by Reno Air and was based in San Jose, Calif., and then Reno, Nev. When Reno Air was acquired by American Airlines, he continued to be based in Reno until transferring to Chicago where he was based until his death. He served as first officer.

Mike married the love of his life, Patricia (Tricia) Michele Etcheto on Oct. 12, 2001, at Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago, where they have been active parishioners and Mike was a member of the choir. Tricia is a flight attendant, and they met while on the same flight crew at Reno Air. Mike enjoyed many activities.

He loved flying and was an avid biker who had done the RAGBRAI bicycle ride across Iowa many times. He enjoyed swimming, canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, snow skiing, hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, fixing things, helping with work projects of family and friends, traveling, cooking, singing, scuba diving, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. He was a doting uncle to his two nephews and was thrilled to be his nephew John’s godfather. He liked fireworks, jokes and good movies. He really worked at keeping in touch with family and friends and enjoyed getting together with them whenever he could.

Survivors include his beloved wife, Tricia; his parents, Pat & Maryann (Craig) Boyle of Vermillion; his brother, Lawrence (Larry) and sister-in-law, Jill, and nephews, John and Daniel of Spencer, Okla.; his grandparents, WALTER & ANNABELLE CRAIG of Anthon, Iowa; aunts and uncles, Stan and Judy Boyle of Dakota Dunes, S.D., Dave and Nancy Boyle of Fort Collins, Colo., Dan and Marcia Boyle of Rock Rapids, Iowa, Dick Boyle of Sioux City, Tim and Debbie Boyle of Dakota Dunes, Marilyn and Dan Galvin of Sioux Falls, S.D., Brother Dennis Craig of Cincinnati, Ohio, Bob and Linda Craig of Cherokee, Iowa, and Aggie and Joe DeRozza of Omaha, Neb.; 23 first cousins; his father-in-law, John Etcheto of Reno, Nev.; his mother-in-law, Dana Collins of Reno; his sister-in-law, Megan Etcheto of Reno; his grandmother-in-law, Pat Stovall of Reno; his grandfather-in-law, Peter Etcheto of Elko, Nev.; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his younger brother, John in 1987; his paternal grandparents, Walter and Emily Boyle; and his cousin, Jim Craig. Pallbearers will be Steve Fredricks, Ollie Hohbach, Tim Taylor, Tim Sowden, Larry Schoop, Rob Jones, John Kuivenan and Ed Twedt.

Honorary pallbearers will be Mark Priest, Tracy Bainbridge, and his cousins.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund will be established.

A memorial service will be 5 p.m. Monday, July 8, at Assumption Catholic Church in Chicago.