The Loyola community recently said goodbye to a longtime member of the Loyola family, the Rev. David A. Boileau, Ph.D. He was a professor emeritus and former chair of the philosophy department at Loyola. His passing on Monday, Jan. 24, followed a long illness. He was 80 years old.

This is a loss to many because Boileau wore many hats in his life. He joined the Loyola faculty in 1970. He most recently served at Mater Dolorosa Church while in residence there. He also served as the faculty advisor for the Delta Gamma sorority, among other things.

Kurt Bindewald, director of University Ministry, referred to Boileau as, “a gift of life and learning shared with us and the world.”

In a University press release, Loyola President Emeritus the Rev. James C. Carter, S.J., Ph.D., said, “The students absolutely loved him. When he walked into a room, you knew he was there. He had that type of personality that drew students into his classrooms, which were always packed.” Carter knew Boileau for more than 30 years.

“I remember Boileau as an enormously generous and caring man. He took an interest in my professional development and the well-being of my son. That care went out to a lot of people besides myself,” said Francis P. Coolidge, an associate professor in the philosophy department. He knew Boileau for 20 years.

Visitation was at 9 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 29 at Mater Dolorosa Catholic Church, 1226 Carrollton Ave., followed by a funeral Mass at 11 a.m. Boileau was preceded in death by his parents, Albert and Catherine Boileau of Kalamazoo, Mich.; brothers Robert and Phillip Boileau; sisters Mary Leeuw and Joan Wilson. He is survived by his sister, Eleanor Coffman of Lewisburg, Tenn., and nine nieces and nephews.

Kris Johnson can be reached at [email protected]