Ernest Boyle, Jr. succumbed to a lengthy illness on Friday, December 2, 2016, at home at the age of 85.  He was born on August 10, 1931, in New Orleans, Louisiana to the late Ernest Boyle, Sr. and Julia Boyle.  He spent his formative years in Hahnville, Louisiana, and it was there, under the tutelage of Mr. Raymond Smith, that Ernest developed phenomenal skills in football, basketball, and baseball.  Under the same mentor, he became an accomplished musician who excelled on the alto saxophone. During this period, he developed a great love of jazz music which he maintained his entire life.  Ernest was one of the original members of the Eight Tones, a band founded and managed by Mr. Raymond Smith. After graduating from high school, he matriculated at Dillard University in New Orleans on a football scholarship.  While there he was drafted in the U.S. Army and Ernest was deployed to Korea during the Korean War.  Upon being honorably discharged for his service, Ernest enrolled at Grambling University. Ernest retired as a postal clerk from the U.S. Postal System after a tenure of 33 years.  After retiring, this avid reader spent a tremendous amount of time reading historical works, information about various jazz greats, and information on current events.  He also spent a tremendous amount of time gardening and making his yard the floral showplace of the neighborhood.  From his matrimonial union with Connie D. Williams, the couple was blessed with a son and a daughter.  This loving and loved husband and father is survived by his wife, Connie Boyle; son, Wardell Boyle; daughter, Kim Boyle; daughter-in-law, Lois Boyle; grandson, Brian Boyle; granddaughters, Tiffany Boyle and Leilani Boyle; great-grandchild, Amia Oakman; brother, Norman Boyle; sisters-in-law, Gayle Cherry and Sarah Boyle; cousins, Theodore and Jessie Christophe; as well as several nephews and nieces, including Gregory and Bernadette Magee; Kyle and Andrea Mosley; Deborah Magee and Sonji Williams (Alexander); his extended son and daughter, Edward and Carmella Marshall; his extended daughter, Yolanda Johnson; and a host of relatives, friends, co-workers and caregivers, who all loved Ernest dearly.  Relatives, friends, co-workers and caregivers are invited to attend a visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed by a funeral service on Saturday, December 10th in Lawless Chapel on the campus of Dillard University, 2601 Gentilly Blvd. Arrangements entrusted to D.W. Rhodes Funeral Homes, 3933 Washington Ave., New Orleans, LA 70125. Please visit our website to sign the guest book at [email protected].