BOSHART BULLETIN
Volume 9, No. 5
August 07
CELEBRATION OF THE LIFE OF MEL BOSHART
This issue of the Boshart Bulletin is dedicated to the life and accomplishments of
Mel Boshart, Founder and Past President of Boshart Industries.
BOSHART, Melvin L. - Passed away, peacefully, to meet the Lord at his residence in Crosshill, on Saturday,
July 21, 2007.
Melvin was born in Wilmot Centre 75 years ago. Son of the late Noah Boshart and the late Victoria Wagler.
Melvin was a faithful member of the Crosshill Mennonite Church.
Mel was the founder of Boshart Industries Inc. and celebrated 50 years in business in 2005. He retired in 2006
due to poor health.
Cherished husband of Eileen Boshart (Zehr) of Crosshill. Loving father of Gary and his wife Gloria Boshart
of R.R. 1, Milverton, Joyce and her husband Myron Jantzi of Wellesley and Jayne Boshart and her fiancee Jim
Mullins of Listowel. Dear brother of Roy and Willetta Boshart of New Hamburg, Orlin Boshart of Tavistock,
Verna and Christian Wagler of Wilmot Centre. Brother-in-law of Lydia Zehr of Baden.
Ever remembered by his grandchildren, Krista Boshart and her husband Jeremy Kuepfer, Jessica, Julianne and
Daniel Jantzi, Nicole and Erin Hartung and Rebekah Boshart.
Predeceased by a daughter, Joan; by two brothers-in-law, Lloyd and Ervin Zehr and a sister, Dorothy and
sister-in-law, Norma Zehr.
The funeral service was held Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at Crosshill Mennonite Church. Pastor Jamie Gerber
officiated.
Memorials to the Crosshill Mennonite Church Building Fund, or to the Mennonite Central Committee or to
the Regional Lung Association were appreciated as expressions of sympathy.
NOTE OF THANKS
Gary, Jayne and the Boshart family would like to thank the Boshart staff for their support during Mel’s illness
and at the time of his death.
Thank you to the many friends, customers, reps and business associates for the support shown through
visitation, floral arrangements, contributions to charity and kind words of condolence.
Although we are all saddened by Mel’s death, we want to celebrate his life in this issue of the Boshart Bulletin.
Mel started the company in 1955 and in 2005 we celebrated Boshart’s 50th year in business. Mel was an active
participant in the company until recent health issues prevented him from working.
Following are words from one of Mel’s long time friends and former staff members, Nancy Podann
MEL’S EULOGY
During his 75 years of living Mel Boshart touched all of our lives, that’s why we are gathered here today.
I first met Mel, Eileen and Gary on a Friday morning 30 years ago when I came to their door here in Crosshill for a job
interview. I got the job and started work the following Monday. One of the first things that I noticed was Mel’s energy
– he didn’t walk he ran, but he also relaxed at coffee break’s and had a snooze on the couch in the kitchen at noon so
he was ready to go again for the afternoon. The really great thing about the early years in Crosshill was the family
atmosphere – the roots of the company that we now know as “Boshart Industries Inc.” are family - to know Mel was to
know his family.
During the 26 years that I worked for Mel he was my boss, mentor and most importantly my friend. I’m pretty sure that
there are many others here today that feel the same way. He earned the respect and love of his employees as he worked
along with them to get a job done - you rarely found Mel in his office, he would be in the warehouse planning the next
move, in the shop working away at a machine, outside checking out the building. It was pretty difficult to track him
down for a phone call and when he would finally show up back in the office he would give the receptionist a sheepish grin
and apologize for not telling her where to find him.
Mel had a knack of looking at a project and then quietly going about accomplishing whatever he had in mind – the
transformation of the buildings in Milverton is a good example. He continued to be interested and involved with the
present renovation of removing the third floor from the old Deilcraft building.
Auction sales were one of the pastimes that Mel enjoyed and he couldn’t resist a bargain. One particular sale resulted in
more desks and chairs arriving in Milverton than there were employees. However there was room to store them and one
by one new employees were hired and the desks and chairs were put into use.
I remember Mel planning his first trip abroad, it was a big undertaking and we worried about him getting there and back
safely. He returned mission accomplished with many pictures, and likely a new camera as he had a habit of leaving his
camera in the taxi.
Mel had a genuine concern for and interest in everyone that he came to know. Many of the customers and business
contacts that he called on over the years became friends. My husband, who has known Mel for eight years, says that
Mel’s approach was not, what you can do for me, but “what can I do for you” and
that seems to sum up a lot of what Mel Boshart was about.
I have thanked God many times for bringing me to the Boshart doorstep 30
years ago. Mel and his entire family have blessed me and my family with their
friendship, support and love.
Mel’s obituary tells us that he passed peacefully to be with his Lord and so we say
goodbye to our dear friend, no longer burdened with the oxygen tank and free to
run again. We all have many good memories and they will stay with us.
Shared Memories – Former Employee: Nancy Podann
YOUR MEMORIES
Mel will also be fondly remembered by the many customers of Boshart Industries that he visited over the years. It is said
he often arrived for a visit armed with donuts and new Boshart products. A great combination.
It has been stated that Mel was a Gentleman first and a Salesman second. A high commendation indeed. “He was a
humble, generous and an honest man”, a few of the words used by his many friends and customers to describe Mel.
Although he will be missed by all that knew him, his legacy will continue through his family.
Page 2
The following Photo Gallery attempts to summarize Mel’s many accomplishments
Crosshill
Wellesley
Milverton
Page 3
MEL SUPERVISED MANY EXPANSIONS TO BOSHART INDUSTRIES
AT THE MILVERTON LOCATION
June 30, 2004
Aug 25 2004
2003
Oct 21, 2004
2006
2007
Sept 3, 2004
Aerial View of Boshart Industries
Page 4
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS IN BUSINESS
Kick-Off Celebrations
November 27, 2004
Unveiling of Peter Etril Snyder painting
Surprise Guests
OPEN HOUSE - September 10, 2005
Boshart Sign presented to
Mel and Gary
by Boshart Employees
Winner of Anniversary Grand Prize Draw
Brian Williams, Smith Stockley Ltd.
St. Johns, NF
November 2005
Presentation of
Photo Albums by Boshart
Employees summarizing
50 Years of Business
November 2005
Ralph Suppa, on behalf of the CIPH Board, presented Mel with
CIPH’s 50 Year Service Award
Page 5
MEL’S TRIPS TO CHINA
Page 6