Bolan H. Boatner Jr.

1946 - 2020

Bolan Herbert Herb Boatner Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2020. Herb was 74 years old and a resident of Indian Rocks Beach, Fla. Herb is survived by his wife, Terry; daughter, Melissa; son, Bryan and his wife, Andrea, and grandchildren, Emily, Anna and Jack, of Andover, Mass.; and sister, Elizabeth Kraus, of Hamlet, N.C. Herb was predeceased by his parents, Bolan Herbert Boatner Sr. and Mary Horn Boatner. Herb was born Nov. 15, 1946, in Evanston, Ill. His family relocated to Sewickley, where Herb attended Sewickley Academy, followed by the Hill School, the University of Pennsylvania, and Cornell Law School. He served in the Army, and was honorably discharged as a Captain. Herb was a brilliant attorney, a gifted raconteur, and a loyal friend. He specialized in representation of parties in public finance transactions, and was associated and partnered with preeminent law firms in Pittsburgh, Miami and Tampa, including Bryant Miller Olive, where he remained until his passing. Herb could always be counted on for a good joke or a funny story. Herb was a kind man, ever willing to help those who needed his sage advice or counsel. He helped so many over the years. Herb was a great friend, and many of his friendships were lifelong. Herb was also a modest man, a rare trait for a lawyer. Herb lived a full and joy-filled life. He studied astrophysics at Cambridge University. Took his wife to Paris. Cut a couple of albums as the pianist and vocalist for the Nocturnes. Relished playing golf in the winter sunshine with his son and grandson, and attended all of his granddaughters' dance recitals. As a member of the Stonedale Guns, Sewickley, he consistently placed in the top tier of trap and skeet shooters, once winning first place at the Good Friday Shoot. Herb loved The Rolling Stones and saw them in concert as recently as last year in Boston. Herb loved to play craps, always said he was ahead, and his wife believed him. He loved his life at the beach, and time with his daughter, with whom he would spend hours listening to their favorite music. Herb adored his family. And he truly loved his dog, Cody. Herb is best described as a loving husband, father and grandfather. He was fun and funny, caring and generous, thoughtful and tender hearted. He fought a years-long battle with a health problem that would have defeated a less determined man much sooner. And he did so with bravery, grace and humor, never giving in to self-pity, but always looking for the next lily pad to land on, and keeping his illness at bay. Herb will be remembered as an honorable man who shared his gifts and left this world a better place. He leaves a legacy of hope, love, and kindness that we pray is a comfort to those who mourn his passing. A funeral Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021, at Calvary Episcopal Church, Indian Rocks Beach. Attendance may be in person with proper safeguards, or virtually. For further information, contact HUBBELL FUNERAL HOME (727-584-7671). Interment will be at Bay Pines National Cemetery. There will be a celebration of life later in the year, when it is safer to gather.