Joseph “Joe Boy” Tyrone Boysaw

In Loving Memory of Joseph Tyrone Boysaw, Sr.

Joseph “Joe” Tyrone Boysaw 82, passed away peacefully at his home on May 31, 2015 after a brief illness.

Joseph was born June 22, 1932 in Abbeville, Alabama and was the only child of Rev. W.R. Boysaw and Lillian Boysaw (McKinley). Joseph was baptized at Olivet Institutional Baptist Church in 1947 under the pastorate of the late Rev. Odie M. Hoover and continued to serve under the leadership of Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, Jr. and the presiding pastorate of Reverend Dr. Jawanza Karriem Colvin at the Olivet Institutional Baptist Church. Joseph was a long serving member of Olivet Institutional Baptist Church since his baptism, and served as “Mayor” of Usher Board 2 until his illness prevented participation.

Joseph attended Miles Heights Middle School (where he met his future wife), onto John Adams High School then later joined the United States Marine Corps. He was honorably discharged on March 3, 1954 and upon returning to Cleveland Ohio, he reconnected with Mary Annette Durrah; he would say her hair is what attracted him to her, and it worked!! Joseph and Mary wed in holy matrimony in 1956 and were married for 54 years before her passing in 2009. To this union five children were born.  During his early years, Joseph was a self-taught mechanic and always kept the family cars operating; he was also a motorcycle enthusiast and passed on his love for biking to his son Timothy and his granddaughter. Joseph retired from General Motors at the Chevy Plant in Parma, Ohio in 1994 after 33 years of service. He was affectionately known as “peanut man,” because he sold hard shell peanuts to whoever had a taste for them (believe it or not that was a lot of people). After his retirement Joseph was not one to sit around; he and his late wife favored the outdoors and as fervent campers, they joined the Lake Erie Travelers Club where they enjoyed numerous excursions together.

Not only did Joseph have a passion for the outdoors, his community knew him for his neighborly personality and service. He truly loved his neighbors and they also loved him. He served as President of the M.L.K. Street Club and was appointed Leader of Ward 2 in the City of Cleveland. In this position Joseph made sure his neighbors, especially seniors felt safe. He addressed those concerns by presenting them to the Councilmember in Ward 2 in search of solutions. His commitment to his community went beyond Ward duties; Joseph was involved in a multitude of neighborhood improvement projects such as the Community Lead Exposure Prevention Project assisting young adults within the area to clean up unsightly debris and hanging the American flag yearly on the 4th of July. Joseph’s community also peaked his interest in politics, which he called “politician.” During the voting season, you would find Joseph putting up signs on neighbor’s lawns, handing out literature and encouraging everyone to vote. Mr. Boysaw’s dedication to his community was widely recognized by various elected officials, who honored him for his contributions in the implementation and planning of the rebuilding of the present day John Adams High School in 2004; Joseph was presented with Senior of the Year in 2011.

Family, friends and those he touched will remember Joe’s hard working spirt, loyalty, infectious smile and good time attitude as his memory and legacy lives on.

Joseph leaves to cherish and memorialize his memory Five Children: Toni, Terri, Joseph Tyrone Jr., Tina and Timothy. 11 grandchildren: Nakia (Eric), Damon (Myriam), Andre, Terea (Michael), Janay, Jelisa, Jaron, Terrell, Teauna, Vanessa and Timothy Jr. 17 great grandchildren, a host of nieces, nephews and cousins. Also, leaving to cherish his memory are two Aunts Adele and Mildred. Finally, a very special acknowledgment to cousins (sisters) Johnnie Mae and Mary Olie+, who viewed Joseph as their brother and called him “Joe Boy.”