Michael T. Bovaird

Michael T. Bovaird, 64, of Girard, passed away after a valiant battle with kidney disease on Sunday, January 29, 2023, at Pleasant Ridge Manor. He was born on January 12,1959 in Erie to the late Donald T. and Celestia (Kimmy) Bovaird. 
 
In addition to his parents, Mike was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn Wehr, and a nephew, Joshua Bruno.  
 
Mike graduated from Girard High School in 1976. Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the US Air Force and completed his basic training at Lackland AFB. He then began his studies in electronics at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. While there, he explored the city and adapted his taste buds to “po-boys", southern grits and spicy jumbo shrimp, foods he savored his whole life. Mike served his country with great pride. Every year he looked forward to meals out on Veteran’s Day. 
 
After Mike’s service in the Air Force, he drove truck for various shipping companies over the years-most notably, CRST, and (locally), Mill Craft Paper. Mike also provided on-the-job training to new drivers. He drove in every state within the continental United States and always explored the local cuisine wherever he went.  Aside from driving cross country, Mike often went to Niagara Falls on the Canadian side, the Mexican border in South Texas and once to the Middle East to visit his sister, Amy, who lived there at the time. They were quite close and brought out the best in each other. 
 
Mike surrounded himself with family and close friends. When his father started his family-run antique limousine business, he chose Mike to chauffer the unusual vehicles to weddings, proms and parades. He also enjoyed going to antique car shows with his father on the weekends. He always looked forward to family birthdays and holiday get-togethers. 
 
A fan of everything local, Mike attended high school football games, local hockey matches  and he was a die-hard Erie Seawolves fan. He attended every home game and chased foul and home run balls outside the stadium, which he collected. When going to the game became too hard, he listened to the game at the Girard Giant Eagle parking lot.
 
Mike collected an unusual assortment of items over the course of his lifetime. From hometown menus to bank bags, stamps, coins, old pop bottles, lanyards, ceramics, native American art and coffee mugs, to name a few. He delighted in adding to his collections.  
 
He was a member of Erie Church of Christ, the West County Lions Club, the Girard American Legion Post #494 and volunteered for the VA Hospital. 
 
Mike will be missed by his two sons, Adam Michael and Alex Thomas Bovaird and their families, both of Meadville; his sister, Amy Bovaird and brother, Donald Bovaird (Julie) all of Girard; a brother-in-law, Dave Wehr; and several nieces and nephews. 
 
Friends may call on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the Edder Funeral Home Inc., 309 Main St. East, Girard, from 10:00 a.m. to the time of Service at 12:00 noon with Pastor Gale Thorton of the Erie Church of Christ officiating.
 
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the PA Soldiers and Sailors Home, 560 E. 3rd St., Erie, PA 16507 or to the Michael T. Bovaird Memorial Fund c/o Edder Funeral Home Inc.
 
Burial will be in the Girard Cemetery with full military honors.

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