Harold James Boyd

Harold James Boyd, better known as Father Theophane, or simply Father Theo to his many friends, died Monday from cancer.

He was born May 20, 1929, and entered the monastic life at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Mass., in 1950. He came to St. Benedict’s Monastery in Old Snowmass on temporary assignment (for the second time) in 1984 and remained there.

At the monastery, Father Theophane served in various positions, including retreat director, confessor and cantor, and ran the bookstore. His book, “Tales of the Magic Monastery,” has been a favorite since its publication in 1981 and has been issued in many languages.

Father Theo was popular with St. Benedict’s guests and retreatants and had been active in ecumenical dialogue with several Eastern religions.

He is survived by his sister, Ann Galante, of Mineola, N.Y., and brothers Msgr. Joseph Boyd, of New York, and Richard Boyd, of Florida.

A wake will be held Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. A funeral is planned Friday at 3 p.m., with a reception to follow in the monastery refectory.