LETTER: Lives well lived

Recently the Flathead Valley and the Flathead Catholic community lost two men, both of whom were examples of lives well lived, and though in different fields, their work and personality was much the same.

The first, Gene Boyle, whose life touched many of our youth with his positive can-do attitude and fair play, was always dedicated to helping, prodding, and encouraging, never on the negative side but with a sense of humor and determination to get the task done and done right, that placed an indelible stamp of character on those he taught and coached. Who will we get to sing “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah”? Big shoes to fill, but if we’re real lucky maybe one of those he taught will step forward for our youth, with his example to follow.

The second was Father Don Shea, who, as a young newly ordained priest, was asked by the bishop to become an Army chaplain just as the Vietnam War was heating up, and he entered the fray. This young priest served not only with valor but shared the blood and mud in combat to bring solace to men, not much past boyhood, that life is worth living. He rose to the rank of general and became the head of all Army chaplains, serving the men until his retirement. He returned to parish life, and again was asked by the bishop to assist in the task of building the new church in Bigfork, where he found a home here among what he called exceptional youth, always leading, encouraging and developing them to be “all they could be.”

The commonality of these two men, different paths but intertwined, was in their belief that our future will be in good hands with our youth. How fortunate the valley was to have these men to share their lives with us.

—Ron Proul, Swan Lake