Matthew J. Boland

Matthew Joseph Boland, 71, of Spring Township and formerly of Alexandria, Virginia, died April 13, 2009 in the Reading Hospital and Medical Center.

Born in Reading on March 24, 1938, he was the son of the late Dr. Matthew J. and Eleanor (Mundy) Boland.

He was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in 1956, where he played varsity basketball. Mr. Boland earned his Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration from Bryant University, Smithfield, RI in 1961 and was named their Distinguished Alumnus in 1992.

Mr. Boland was a member of St. Ignatius Loyola Roman Catholic Church, Whitfield.

He was a Army Veteran.

He was the managing partner of Matt Boland & Company, founded in 1993; the firm specialized in strategic planning, marketing and special events. From 2004 to 2005, he was the Senior Advisor to the World War II Commemoration Committee. He was awarded the Superior Civilian Service Medal by the Department of the Army for his leadership on this project.

From 1985 to 1991 he was the Director of Corporate Operations for the Beatrice Company in Chicago, IL. He was also the Special Assistant to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. He managed annual budgets and was responsible for Beatrice's corporate and international meetings and conferences.

He was the Managing Director of Operations for the Desert Storm National Victory Celebration in Washington, DC in the spring of 1991, an international event attended by more than 1 million people.

Mr. Boland served as an advisor to Secretary of Transportation Elizabeth Dole and as Chief of Staff to the Administrator of The Urban Mass Transportation Administration. For his accomplishments Boland received: Secretary's Award for Excellence in Public Service, Superior Achievement Award and the Distinguished Service Award.

He was called upon to direct numerous high visibility events including: State Funeral for President Ronald Reagan; United Nations Town Hall Forum, Kofi Anan; U.S. Department of State Global PAO Conference, Secretary Colin Powell; "A is for America" book tour, Lynne Cheney; 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz, Visit to aircraft carrier Stennis on combat patrol in the Red Sea, Vice President Dick Cheney; Red Sea Peace Summit; Sharm El Shiekh, Egypt; United States Military Academy Commencement, President George W. Bush.

Other accomplishments include: 2007-2008, Senior Staff, Giuliani for President campaign; 2006, Instrumental in dedication of Air Force Memorial in DC; 2005, Advisor, Ukrainian Presidential Election; 1983, Staff, Williamsburg Economic Summit; 1981, Co-Director, Presidential Inaugural Ball; 1980, Staff, Republican National Convention and 1980, 1984, Staff, Reagan-Bush campaign.

Mr. Boland also served two terms on the Board at the Reading Public Museum from 2002 to 2008.

Among his many loyal friends, was his beloved beagle "Clyde", who shared 13 years of adventures, including the role of honorary "Chairman of the Board". In November, he added a second beagle, "Jack", to the household.

Mr. Boland was predeceased by his sister, Trudy (Boland) Preissing, for whom he had a memorial garden built at the Reading Public Museum, "Trudy's Garden".

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday at 9:00 a.m. in St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. Church, Whitfield. A viewing will be held Friday from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., 739 Penn Ave., West Reading. Burial with Military Honors will be in Gethsemane Cemetery, Muhlenberg Township.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to: "Trudy's Garden Fund", c/o Berks County Community Foundation, P.O. Box 212, 501 Washington Street, Suite 801, Reading, PA 19603-0212 or at www.bccf.org, with the designation being Trudy's Garden Fund.

A gathering to remember Matt will be held on Tuesday, April 28th at Pat Troy's Ireland's Own located at 111 N. Pitt Street, Alexandria, VA. 703-549-4535. This event will begin at 6:30PM and will continue until the last person leaves.

Light snacks will be provided, but anything heavier will be your individual responsibility. Unfortunately, there will have to be a cash bar.

This is a "no host" gathering. There will be no formal program but an opportunity will be provided for anyone who wants to say a few words about Matt to do so. There will be no clergymen present and no collection will be taken.

Please come with your favorite Matt story.

For online condolences, visit www.kuhnfuneralhome.com.