Donald West Boyd

Published 12:09 am Sunday, December 1, 2013

April 15, 1954 – November 27, 2013
Donald West Boyd, 59, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, November 27, 2013. A memorial service will be held at 11 AM, Monday, December 2, 2013 at St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, 1416 Market St., Wilmington.  The family will receive friends from 4 to 6 PM, Sunday, December 1, at Andrews Market Street Chapel, 1617 Market St, Wilmington.
Born on April 15, 1954 to Peggy and Chestine (C.G.) Boyd at Fort Jackson in Columbia, South Carolina, Don was raised in Greensboro where he met his childhood and lifelong sweetheart, Patricia (Bare) Boyd. After graduating from Ben L. Smith High School in 1972, Don attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and joined Air Products, Inc. following his graduation in 1976. He and Trish were married in Greensboro on April 16, 1977.
Don’s career at Air Products took him and Trish across the country, from Maryland to Pennsylvania to Texas to California and then back to Pennsylvania where they resided for nearly 21 years. While living in California, Don began his life’s great work with the birth of his two children, Caroline and Richard. Don remained with Air Products throughout his 34-year career, and retired as the Director of Human Resource Development in June 2010. Upon his retirement, he and Trish realized their dream of returning to the South and the beach when they settled in the Landfall community in Wilmington.
Don was an active retiree in Wilmington, where he joined St. Andrews-Covenant Presbyterian Church, served on the Board of Directors of the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter, received his certification as a Master Gardener from the New Hanover County Cooperative Extension, where he spent countless hours volunteering, and participated in multiple capacities with the UNC Wilmington Cameron School of Business including serving as a guest lecturer and mentoring many students through the Cameron Executive Network. He also worked as a management consultant with Cornerstone Advisory Partners. One of Don’s favorite parts of living in Wilmington was the beautiful weather, and he could often be found on the tennis courts of the Country Club of Landfall, where in addition to being an active member he served on the Membership and Tennis Committees.
Don’s highest priority and greatest privilege was spending time with his family. He also loved working in his garden, music (he had a natural gift for the piano and banjo), fishing, and collecting and refinishing antique furniture. Don and his beloved bride enjoyed entertaining and sharing the joys of living in Wilmington with old and new friends alike. One of Don’s unspoken accomplishments was forming the monthly Howl at the Moon gathering at Wrightsville Beach.  He was also an avid fan of UNC basketball and a lifetime member of the General Alumni Association.
Don was a committed and giving son, wonderful spouse and friend, devoted father, and amazing grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 34 years, Trish; his daughter Caroline (Boyd) Olzinski, her husband Chris, and their son Grayson West Olzinski, of Charlotte; and his son Richard Andrew, of New York City. He is also survived by his parents, C.G. and Peggy Boyd, of Greensboro, as well as his sister Connye (Boyd) Dillon and husband Jim, of Greensboro; his brother John and wife Tori (Lingle) Boyd, of Chesapeake, Virginia; a nephew and three nieces.
The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Neill Musselwhite and his staff for the efforts and kindness extended on the day Don was stricken, as well as to the staff of the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Emergency Services Department.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to support the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC  28401 or the Landfall Foundation, 1924 Pembroke Jones Drive, Wilmington, NC  28405 or The New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive, Wilmington, NC  28403
Online condolences may be made at www.andrewsmortuary.com