Bernard Franklin Boyd

Bernard Franklin Boyd joined his wife of 67 years, Carolyn “Sue” Krause, his parents Bernard and Louise Casey Boyd, Sunday, January 19, 2025, after a life full of love, laughter, discovery and relationships throughout Ohio and around the world. A devoted husband and father and savvy businessman, Bernard received honors for his leadership throughout his lifetime.

Born in Cambridge in 1935, he met Sue, at Muskingum College. Together, they raised two children in Reynoldsburg, Deborah Sue and John Bernard. In 1978, they launched Boyd’s Crystal Art Glass in Cambridge, OH, which produced one-of-a-kind collectibles in unique colors for more than 30 years. His ethos was one of quality over quantity, and when they chose to close the factory, the mould marks were removed before being sold. Each glass piece bore a B within a Diamond with lines surrounding the image to distinguish when a piece was manufactured.

Bernard, as he was known during his second career as a glassmaker, had an enthusiastic work ethic. In his first career, Bernie was a barber in Columbus at the Neil House and 88 East Broad Street. Additionally, he was a committed instructor at the Ohio Barber College. When his 70-year-old father promised a job making glass with him in Cambridge—the selling point was working only half-days! Lured by not standing on his feet behind the barber chair, he jumped at the chance. What his father neglected to explain that half-days meant 12-hour days, as glassmaking was a round-the-clock operation!

An opinionated and patriotic American, he was above all a generous and compassionate man always quick to lend a hand to those in need. For decades after concluding his stint as a barber, he maintained a current barber’s license to allow him to cut hair in a church basement to those who needed a free “trim!”

Together with his wife, they supported their communities as members of the First Presbyterian Church of Reynoldsburg, the Salvation Army, Cambridge’s Living Word Outdoor Drama, and Coshocton’s Roscoe Village. A Key to the City of Cambridge in 2015 was bestowed and he garnered honors for his philanthropy throughout southeastern Ohio.

Honoring his life are children Debbie Campbell (Jim), John Boyd (Karen), grandchildren Brian Ballmann (Kimmy), Jennifer Alfman, Patrick Boyd, Elizabeth Boyd (Moussa Moussa), and great grandchildren, Kirsten Alfman, Chelsey Alfman, and Alex Ballmann, and great, great grandson, Liam Alfman.

The celebration of Bernard’s and Sue Boyd’s lives will be held at Impact City Church, 8577 Watkins Road, Pataskala, OH, at noon on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

McPeek Hoekstra Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Bernard and his family.