David M. Boyle

David Michael D’Velasco Boyle was born on August 2, 1934, in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Elizabeth Vida Boyle.  Raised by a single mother and an indomitable grandmother during the Depression, he chose to enlist in the Marine Corps six months before his 18th birthday (at the recommendation of the local beat officer).  He served in Japan during the Korean Conflict, spending his free time learning Japanese culture and language, and became interested in Japanese woodworking and hand tools.  He later invented a carving tool he called the “razor plow” based on Japanese principles.

     After discharge, David studied art at Cooper Union in New York City, working as an engraver for Black, Starr, and Gorham, and a letterer for Walt Kelly on the Pogo comic strip. It was Walt who taught him to smoke a cigar (along with a few life lessons).

     He gravitated to the art and music scene in the West Village, working as a carpenter and meeting many interesting people who were not yet famous.  In 1964, he re-located to Woodstock at the request of Albert Grossman, who called David “the best 18th century carpenter I know”. He apprenticed himself to local craftsmen, including Rolf Shultis and George Wilbur, and became expert in wood and stone.  He was also a talented actor, performing with Performing Arts of Woodstock and in local films.  His most notable role was as himself in “The Independence of Striva Kowardsky”, written by his friend Marcia Haufrecht.  This role was later played by Robert DeNiro at the Actor’s Studio in NYC.  Mr. DeNiro visited David to learn Japanese wood-burning for the part, and to study a real character! 

     David hosted a weekly TV show on Woodstock Public Access for many years, which was his primary forum for political expression (although he did run for Highway Superintendent for the Woodstock Independence Party in the 1970’s).

     David was a fierce defender of underdogs and a life-long friend to many.  He leaves a legacy of beautiful buildings, furniture, carved signs, and oak nails.  Most of these are private, but his most impressive public work is the hand-hewn beam in the Bearsville Theater, which he hewed with an adze on the front lawn of the Peterson House.  His double-sided walnut carved sign for the Bear Café was stolen, but most probably exists somewhere.

Friends will be received on Friday, November 29, 2019 at Lasher Funeral Home Inc, 100 Tinker Street, Woodstock, from 10:00AM-11:00AM.

A funeral service will take place at 11:00AM.

Burial will follow in New Paltz Rural Cemetery with Military Honors by Joyce - Schirrick Post 1386 VFW.

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