Michael J. Boches

“Hold on to your Bibles, boys!” Michael J. Boches shouted to his sons, Michael (Kara) and Daniel (Cassandra), along with their childhood friend, Shawn, as he took a ridiculously wide and speedy turn into the parking lot of St. Frances Cabrini in his beloved 1994 Ford Ranger. The boys were headed to their weekly Tuesday night CCD class. Mike wasn’t exactly a churchgoer, but he had a spiritual side. And given his love for cracking jokes and getting laughs, it wouldn’t be a surprise if those same words slipped out of his mouth as he finally lost his decade-long battle with lung cancer on January 15, 2025.

A proud man with something to prove, Michael was born on December 16, 1960, in Meadowbrook, PA. The son of the late Anthony and Irene Boches (Haer), he graduated from Neshaminy High School and went on to study at Pennco Tech in the early '80s, eventually becoming a mechanic. His knack for diagnosing car problems was inspired by his older brother, Anthony (Paulette), who he watched tinker with cars while they grew up in Langhorne, PA, just a stone's throw from the legendary Neshaminy Creek. “I could do that,” Michael would say, with a hint of sibling rivalry, and just like that, he was off to make it happen.

For many years, he worked at Ford Motors in various roles, but none more notable than as a mechanic at McCafferty. It was there he worked his magic not just on engines, but on Patricia, the brunette in the finance department. He somehow convinced her to go on a date, and in 1986, they tied the knot. Their marriage lasted 38 years, during which they bought a home and raised a family in Fairless Hills, PA.

Mike was the epitome of a great father and husband. As the family’s provider, he was a true grinder—always getting the job done, no matter how many extra hours it took. This often meant picking up a part-time job, the most recent being at Batteries & Bulbs (special shoutout to Ted for that one). When he finally came home after a long day, he was all about the food. A meat-and-potatoes guy through and through, he was perfectly paired with Patricia’s cooking. But let’s not forget his classic guilty pleasures—Lays barbecue chips, Dots candy, Entenmann's pastries, and a cold can of Coors Light.

It wasn’t uncommon to find popsicle sticks or candy wrappers wedged between the couch cushions, as Mike often fell asleep mid-snack while watching TV—usually Phillies or Flyers games, or a nature show on the Discovery Channel. And don't let that relaxed demeanor fool you—he knew a surprising amount about natural history and wildlife, stuff he could’ve pursued in an alternate universe.

In 2007, Mike made the best career move of his life when he started working at Pennsbury in the bus garage. He absolutely loved it there, especially the sense of community. As he got older, he leaned on the younger guys for help, particularly Steve, whose friendship he truly valued. Steve was the kind of great friend Mike could always count on, especially when life threw him a curveball.

When he wasn’t working, Mike loved being outdoors, especially fishing at Gary and Jen’s place. “Now, that’s my therapy,” Mike told Daniel a few years back as they passed a stock photo of a fly fisherman standing knee-deep in a stream. For Mike, his happy place was sitting outside, soaking up the early morning sun, sipping his coffee, and playing Wordle. (He never missed a chance to brag about his amazing Wordle streak, though Patricia swore he was cheating. Mike, of course, vigorously denied it.)

He also had a knack for enjoying his peace and quiet. “Don’t rush me,” he’d snap as we scrambled to leave the house for yet another family event. “I’ve got great blood pressure, you know.” Cue the eye rolls—because, honestly, we’d heard that line about a thousand times.

At his core, Mike was most alive when he was surrounded by people. He loved getting to know others—an amateur sociologist in his own right. It wasn’t unusual for him to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger, even while waiting in line for the bathroom at a Flyers game. For years, Mike enjoyed socializing over games, especially bowling and pool. He was definitely better at pool, winning "cities" and even making it all the way to Las Vegas in 2013. He was so excited when he received a new pool stick for Christmas 2025—he couldn’t wait to see it in action.

But Mike’s favorite way to socialize was with family, especially with his grandchildren Brynn, Brooke, and Teddy. Holidays were his sweet spot. Thanksgiving at his mom’s was always a highlight, surrounded by his sister Cynthia Diamond (Francis), his brothers Anthony (Paulette) and Mark (Marguerite), and his nieces and nephews—Courtney, Dana (Kevin), Mark, Scott (Sara), and Christian. Christmas was often spent with the Bradley bunch: Al Bradley (Florence, Marie), Michael Bradley (Tayna), Lisa Carmody (Tom), Thomas and Tyler Carmody, and Albert Bradley. And of course, you couldn’t forget the classic Christmas Eve gatherings with the Pearson family. Those were the moments Mike truly cherished.

Harvard psychiatrist Robert Waldinger, drawing on decades of research, sums up his insights on human flourishing like this: “The good life is built with good relationships.” Mike certainly touched many lives, and in doing so, lived a good life. It’s the key lesson we’ll carry with us for the rest of our lives—just like our father did.

With love,

Michael and Daniel

In lieu of flowers, we ask those who want to honor Mike’s life and love of wildlife to donate to the Bucks County Audubon Society.

A memorial gathering for family and friends will be held on Saturday, January 25, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM at James J. Dougherty Funeral Home, 2200 Trenton Road, Levittown, Pennsylvania 19056, followed by a words of remembrance at 1:00 PM.