Obituary

Joseph Francis Boland, 69, died peacefully at his home in Mesa, Arizona on November 2, 2023, after a long, and hard-fought battle with cancer. He was born on January 17, 1954, to Joseph and Esther (Neely) Boland in Meshoppen, Pennsylvania.

When he was 12, his family moved to Glen Ellyn, Illinois. He graduated from Glenbard West High School in 1971 and later earned his political science bachelor’s degree from Elmhurst College. Around 1975 he visited his friend in Everett, Washington where he fell in love with the Pacific Northwest, remaining there until 2015 when he and his wife relocated to Mesa, Arizona. During his years in Washington, he worked for the Boeing Company at the Everett plant for several years before returning to college and earning a second degree in computer science. He then went to work for the City of Everett as a computer programmer. He retired 25 years later as the Director of Information Services.

While married to his first wife, he was blessed with the births of his two beautiful children, Sean Joseph and Nichole Marie Carol. They were the greatest joys of his life, and he was an ever-present father.

In 1997 he married his best friend, Diana (Steinhauer) with whom he shared wonderful adventures, their family, friends, and many memories. They celebrated their 26^th wedding anniversary this past August.

Joe was a lover of life and a lifelong learner. He never stopped being curious, always wanting to know more. He was an incredible husband, father, son, brother, “Papa”, and friend. His calm, steady nature provided all who knew him with a feeling of being safe and loved. He found great joy in traveling, reading, music, swimming, playing pool, riding his motorcycle, and sipping fine tequila with family and friends while laughing and sharing his stories and jokes. He will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known him.

He was preceded in death by his beautiful mother, Esther; brother, Jim; grandson, Arlo; nephew, Mitchell; and brother-in-law, Michael. He is survived by his wife, Diana; father, Joseph Boland; brother, John “Jack” (Sarah) Boland; sisters-in-law, Deb Boland, and Carol Steinhauer; children, Sean (Mary) Boland, Nichole (Jay) Vidheecharoen, Sarah Farison, and Samantha (Jesse) Weston. He will be dearly missed by his grandchildren, Laszlo Boland, Nico Vidheecharoen, Emma Willet, Thomas Stocking, Nash Weston, Sadie Farison-Johnson, Hutchinson Weston, Rucker Weston, and Primrose Weston, as well as many nieces, nephews, and close cousins.

Go in peace, my love. Find your palapa.

We will love and miss you forever.

A Celebration of his life will be announced at a later date.