Former Fire Chief, F. Fred Boyden, 94, Is a Garden Hobbyist-This Day In Norwood History-August 26, 1948

Ripe Harvest and Red Sox Games Fill J.Fred Boyden’s Interest

Evers sunny summer morning J. Fred Boyden of 8 Walnut Avenue puts on his straw farmers hat, picks up his hoe, and goes to work. Although he retired over 20 years ago from his position as Norwoods fire chief and last month celebrated his 94th birthday, he is an active old gentleman who takes his greatest pleasure in life from his extensive garden that keeps him busy throughout the summer months.

The acreage in back of his home colorful with sunflowers and petunias, carefully plotted into strawberry and raspberry beds, and laden with cabbages corn melon tomatoes and almost every other type of vegetable is beautiful to behold. There are chickens, too and a well-stocked tool house But these days Mr Boyden is devoting all of his time to the problem of weed removal. His face shaded by the wide-brimmed hat, he sits on a wooden stool that can be easily moved from one garden patch to the next. After his weeding is finished he does a little hoeing with an implement worn thin with age and use.

Red Sox Fan

Afterroons and evening« Mr Boyden s interest in his garden is supplanted by another great interest the Boston Red Sox. His radio is tuned to their every game and in the evenings he stays by his radio until the final out.

When he was 12 years old, his family might have been able to look ahead know what his career would be and guess that he would live to a ripe old age For he answered every fire alarm often running barefoot from play to help fight the blaze and come home burned but happy. At 14. he joined the local department and for more than 20 years was chief.

Last October, during Norwood’s 75th-anniversary celebration, he was invited to take a place of honor on the parade review stand as the town’s oldest native son At his side was his sister, Mrs. Emma EUis of Washington Street, the oldest daughter of Norwood. Mr Boyden donned his fire chief’s uniform for the occasion, prefacing his review of the parade with a visit to the station. He shook hands with all of the department and inspected their equipment . . . far different from his first days’ when blazes were extinguished with tubs filled with water.

Until a few years ago, Mr. Boyden was among the oldest licensed drivers in the state. Even at 90 he took his car out for a spin around the neighborhood. Today he still enjoys riding and goes on frequent tours of and inspecting every street and building intently. A few nights ago he looked for the house In which he was born . . . the old John Foley residence, then in “South Dedham.” But time had changed the neighborhood and the house as he remembered it. Mr. Boyden keeps up with everything that happens in Norwood and is interested in every bit of news his friends may have for him.

Mr. Boyden’s sister, Mrs. Ellis, was 98 in January. Another sister, a “youngster” of 88. is Mrs. Eva Daniels of Cranston, Rhode Island. His son, Charles Boyden of Lovell, Maine, is now 69, and for years has been carrying on the family tradition of fire department work. Formerly on the Islington department, he is now one of the Lovell firefighters. A daughter, Mrs. Mary Ross, lives in Sharon.

Mrs. Ruth Kallgren, Mr Boyden’s housekeeper, is also an ardent gardener, and together the two plan during the winter months for their summer crop. Mrs. Kallgren does the planting and calls Mr. Boyden ‘my hired man.” The two enjoy their garden year-round, for Mrs. Kallgren cans 300 quarts of berries, fruit and vegetables every year . . . this week working on sweet pickles, carrots and string beans.

Mr. Boyden built his Walnut Avenue home 72 years ago. He has had a garden for many years. At the age of 94, he feels, no reason to stop work . . . and to his daily stint, he attributes the fact that he is in good health, sleeps soundly, and 1 enjoys three hearty meals every day.