Michael Cleary Boland

Michael Cleary Boland, 70, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 1st, 2023 at his home in Flying Hills, Berks County, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Kathy J. (Hummel) Boland. Born June 29th, 1953, he was the son of the late Lawrence F. Boland (1917-2011), and Nancy Lou (Lebengood) Boland (1926-2010). His father was vice president of The Beryllium Corporation (Reading, PA), and his mother was a homemaker. A life-long Berks County resident, Michael grew up in Mt. Penn and later the Greenfields area. He attended St. Margaret's Grade School in Reading where he excelled intellectually; allowing him to go from 1st grade straight to 3rd grade. This earned him the nickname "Skip" which followed him throughout high school. Skip was one nickname; he was also called Diamond, Diamond Skip, Dime, and a few others. He graduated from Holy Name High School (now Berks Catholic) in 1970. He studied mathematics at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, where he also played on the golf team. He became an avid golfer and was runner-up at the Berkshire Country Club Championship in 1971. He then attended Oberlin College, majoring in psychology and music; and would often play piano for family and friends throughout his life. He went on to graduate from Penn State University in 1976 with a bachelor's degree in Pre-Law. He attended Dickinson School of Law, graduating in 1979. Michael began his career as assistant district attorney in Berks County from 1979-81. He then started private practice in Reading, PA, alongside attorneys Alan Readinger and later Eugene LaManna. He practiced law for 44 years in Berks County, specializing in personal injury, criminal, and estate law. He was a member of the Berks County Bar Association since 1979. He was a political activist and served on the Obama campaign in 2008. Michael was a fierce advocate for his clients and touched the lives of all he met through his compassion and generosity. He was an avid Philadelphia sports fan, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Phillies, Eagles football as well as Villanova basketball. He enjoyed playing table tennis and played hundreds of games with his brother Patrick and other family members. He enjoyed classic rock, especially the Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, and The Grateful Dead. He attended over 100 Grateful Dead concerts. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family. He will be remembered for his great stories and quick wit. He is survived by five children from a previous marriage: Jonathan, of Miami, FL; Colleen, wife of Gregory Calcagni, of Wyomissing, PA; Michael F., fiancé of Josephine McGarry of Phoenixville, PA; Katherine, of Wyomissing, PA; and Julia, of Los Angeles, CA. He was also the grandfather of Cadence, Isabella, Robert, Damon Jr., Anthony and Camille. He is also survived by three stepchildren, Elizabeth, Kelly, and Amy, and two step-grandchildren, Owen and Amari. Surviving Michael are four siblings: Lawrence "Larry," and his partner, the late Catherine McConnell; Joseph Patrick and his partner Shelley Bolek; Stephen and his wife Marit Perman, Elizabeth Fedorowich and her husband Michael. He is also missed and survived by loving nieces and nephews Snow, Summer, Spring, Olivia, August, and their descendants. Michael chose to lead by example: "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." A public viewing was held on Friday, December 8th, from 6-8 PM and Saturday, December 9th from 9:30 to 10 a.m. at Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading. A prayer service began at 10 a.m. Burial followed at Gethsemane Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfunereralhomes.com