More than 1,000 turned out Tuesday and Wednesday for the viewing and funeral of a Tamaqua area father and businessman who died tragically Aug. 2.

Mark T. Boyle, 35, professional welder and staunch community supporter, died from injuries sustained when police said a man driving a tri-axle truck intentionally ran over him at his West Penn Township business, Mark T. Boyle Welding.

On Tuesday, it took several hours for more than 600 to pay respects at Boyle’s viewing, held at E. Franklin Griffiths Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 655 E. Broad St., Tamaqua.

On Wednesday, hundreds more joined in a large procession of fire trucks, tri-axles, tow trucks, semi cabs and more than one dozen John Deere farm tractors lined up in Tamaqua to escort the hearse carrying Boyle’s body to Sky-View Memorial Park, Lafayette Avenue, Hometown.

Fire police volunteers from the region were summoned to control traffic along three major highways, Route 209, 309 and 54, on what also was a busy Hometown Farmers Market Day.

“There are at least 56 trucks here,” said Sank Griffiths of the funeral home. Also in the procession were about 16 John Deere tractors and fire apparatus.

The trucks represented a show of admiration and respect for Boyle and his unusual talent. He was well known as a welding prodigy, someone with skills far beyond the norm. He built and repaired large truck frames with precision, along with sandblasting and painting.

The farm tractors, too, were an homage to Boyle’s skill at refurbishing antique tractors and farm equipment.

At about noon, the vehicles began a slow procession from the funeral home to the cemetery, making their way up Hometown Hill.

The procession was greeted at the cemetery by an honor salute of the American flag hoisted high between crossed booms of aerial ladder trucks from Coaldale and Tamaqua fire departments.

“I’ve been employed here 24 years and this is one of largest funerals I’ve seen,” said Dan Farber, caretaker.

When the hearse carrying Boyle’s body arrived at the cemetery entrance, pallbearers transferred the casket to a horse-drawn, glass-enclosed carriage.

The antique carriage then led a procession through the cemetery’s outer perimeter roads leading to the burial plot.

The carriage was driven by Kyle Hoppes and Cherokee Tempest of Crystal View Carriage Services, New Ringgold. Both Hoppes and Tempest were clad in formal black tuxedos and top hats.

Boyle’s wife, the former Elizabeth A. Hosler, was on hand with daughters and other family members. She thanked guests and the greater community for their outpouring of care and concern.

The ceremony took place under bright sunshine. However, six hours after Boyle was laid to rest, a brief thunderstorm swept through, followed by a bright rainbow over the cemetery and Hometown.

The man accused of hitting Boyle with a tri-axle truck, Michael Albert, 60, of Scranton, remains in Schuylkill County Prison charged with third-degree murder, aggravated assault, homicide by vehicle, and other offenses.

A scholarship fund for Boyle’s daughters has been established. Memorials can be made in care of Elizabeth Boyle, 725 Penn Drive, Tamaqua, PA, 18252.