Harry "Lefty" Boland

Harry “Lefty” Boland of Washington, fortified with the sacraments of the Holy Mother Church, passed away on June 29, 2019. Mr. Boland, son of the late Harry J. Boland and his wife Ella NEE Arnsmeyer, was born February 14, 1925 in Washington. He received his education from St. Francis Borgia Grade School. On September 25, 1948, he was united in marriage to Bertha Konys at St. Francis Borgia Church. Lefty served his country honorably as a member of the United States Navy in WWII on the U.S.S. Carter Destroyer Escort 119. He was the owner of Washington Electric until his retirement. Harry was a member of the VFW 2661, American Legion 218, Elks Lodge in Washington, Hummingbird Club, and he was past president of the Washington Rural Fire Association.

There is so much that can be said about our dad. He was a force of nature, for one thing, both in his family life and in his leadership roles as well. As Harry “Lefty” Boland, he was a passionate and dedicated leader who often served as president of his organizations. He also won many awards for his service to those organizations.

As “Dad” and “Grandpa”, he was a strong and loving family man, the patriarch of our clan. He loved getting the family together for Christmas and special occasions. We will miss that.

He was a very intelligent man who loved to learn and mastered whatever he tried. A man of many talents and interests, his hobbies included, feeding the birds, and enjoying God’s creation, creating beautiful things out of wood, golf, puzzles, cards, dominos, and sudoku. But most of all, he was a man of faith and devoted to his family and friends. He especially enjoyed his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and they adored him.

We will miss his love, guidance, hearty laughter, booming voice, and his big bear hugs, more than words can say.

Among his survivors are three children, Linda Boland of Kirksville, Nancy Boland of Columbia, MO, and David Boland and wife Donna of Washington; eight grandchildren, Scott and Julie, Stanley, and Skylar and Emily Boland, Jennifer and Jason Frederick, Shelly Boland, Alfredo Saenz Jr., Francisco Saenz and wife Sarah, and Anna Maria and A.J. Genotti; nine great-grandchildren, Ethan, Dylan, and Austin Boland, Grant and Lucas Boland, Ryleigh and Audrey Frederick, and Sophia and Rosalie Saenz; sisters-in-law, Elizabeth Terschluse Hilton of New Haven and Jeanette Konys of New Haven; other relatives and friends. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Blondie, whom he adored.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 70 years, Bertha Boland, and two siblings, Robert Boland and Bernice Aholt.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, July 3, 2019 at 10 A.M. at St. Francis Borgia Church. Interment with full military honors will be held at St. Francis Borgia Cemetery. The visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 4-7 P.M. at Nieburg-Vitt, Miller Funeral Home. Memorials can be made to the VFW 2661 or the Washington Volunteer Fire Company Section 5.

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