MICHAEL F. BOSLER

MICHAEL F. BOSLER, 77, of Arnold, Md., passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2017, at his home after a long battle with cancer. Born Dec. 8, 1939, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Dr. Fred Bosler (DDS) and Dorothy Bosler. Michael, his parents and four sisters lived on Randalia Drive in Fort Wayne and spent summers at the family cottage in Clear Lake, Ind. He attended St. Jude Catholic School, graduated from Central Catholic High School and attended Xavier University in Cincinnati. He loved and was active in sports, especially baseball and basketball, but was at his best behind a boat, water skiing. He was a longtime member of the Clear Lake Ski Club and competed in the 1958 National Water Ski Tournament, in both the Slalom and Jump events (he was also an outstanding trick skier.) Michael always tried hard; always strived to set a positive example; always believed you made your own luck through hard work and determination. Indeed he was an example of just that, rising from a 21 year old, $40/week laborer, with a wife and two children, to a Vice President of a major company with responsibility for more than five hundred professionals. He began his professional career with General Telephone Co., in sales, which took him to LaPorte and Valparaiso, Ind. He returned to Fort Wayne in 1967, taking a sales representative role with GTE Directories. That was the beginning of a long, outstanding career with GTE that saw him rise through field sales management ranks in Fort Wayne and Tampa, Fla. In 1983, he was promoted to a Director role in GTE Directories' corporate headquarters in Des Plaines, Ill. - later relocated to Dallas - and continued in senior leadership roles with GTE. Mike ended his career with Chesapeake Directory Co., initially a joint venture between GTE and Bell Atlantic, as Vice President of Sales, leading that organization to years of growth. He was well known throughout his management career for devoting time to developing and mentoring other, younger managers. His focus was always on others - he wanted to know you, wanted to hear your concerns, your successes, rather than talk about his own. He was fun. He was funny, he was ever optimistic. He was active in sports until he could no longer walk. He was resourceful, believing he could fix almost anything - if he only had the right tools. He loved his family and was an inspiration for his two sons, daughter and grandchildren but enjoyed their successes more than he ever enjoyed his own. He was loved; he was admired; he will be missed by so many. He is survived by his wife, Cheryl of Arnold, Md.; sons, Chris (Debra) Bosler of Indian Shores, Fla. nad Greg (Paula) Bosler of Carmel, Ind.; daughter, Jennifer (Joe) Desormiers of Carmel, Ind.; sisters, Emily (Tom) Costello, Marilyn (Robert J.) Henley and Rita (Bob) Burroughs; stepdaughter, Jennifer (Steve) Heald; stepson, Clyde (Jessica) Simmons; and 11 grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jeanne (Bob) Wruble. "God bless and hold near, Michael Bosler." A Celebration of Life is from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27, 2017, at Kalas Funeral Home, 2973 Solomons Island Road, Edgewater (MD 21037). Funeral Mass is 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28, 2017, at St. John Catholic Church, 689 Ritchie Highway, Severna Park, Md. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Little Sisters of the Poor of Indianapolis, 2345 W 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260.