James Boyle, 72

James F. “Jimmy” Boyle, owner of The Den, a bar in Inwood, died on April 13. He was 72.

Born in the Bronx in 1942, he came to Inwood with his family in 1962. His father, James Sr., opened The Den. When he died three years later, Jimmy took over the business A lifelong bachelor, Jimmy ran the bar and tended to his customers, of whom many said they felt like part of one big family.

Inwood resident Fred Smith knew Jimmy since they were kids growing up in the Bronx, but said he really didn’t get to know him until 25 years ago as adults. “I remember that I came into The Den and we just started talking,” he said. “We knew a lot of the same people, it turned out. I’ll always remember that even though he hadn’t seen me in several years, he still remembered me. We became fast friends.”

Den patron Joe Klockner knew Jimmy for 32 years. Klockner said that he would miss Jimmy’s kindness. “It’s a sorry day,” he said. “I lost a good friend. He was like a father to everyone, always taking care of them. Whenever somebody passed away, he always took care of everything, welcoming people to his bar after services and feeding them. If anyone had a problem, Jimmy would give them the help. He helped the elderly at Mary’s Manor. Even if he didn’t know you, he would help you.”

Patrons will also remember Jimmy’s fun side, such as the time he ended up on television on “The People’s Court” for a St. Patrick’s Day prank. He’d painted the street in front of his bar green, and a motorist whose car had picked up some of the paint was upset. Jimmy took it in stride, and the case ended up being dismissed. “He was a prankster,” Klockner said, laughing as he remembered the story. “He was always stirring the pot when things got boring.”

Tim Hickey, a bartender at The Den, believes that Jimmy had a higher calling. “He should have been a priest,” he said. “He had such a gentle soul. I feel like I lost my father. He never said no to me. He loved my kids, always treating them and asking me how they were doing. Not only will he be dearly missed by the community, he’ll be especially and dearly missed by me.”