Brian J Boland

Obituary - Brian J BolandBrian Jeffrey Boland of Post Mills, VT died on July 15, 2021 at the age of 72. Born on Long Island in Huntington, New York, he graduated from John Glenn High School in 1967. He received his bachelor's degree in Art & Art Education from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn NY, attended Cornell University and returned to Pratt for his Masters Degree. As a thesis project Brian designed and built his first hot air balloon (as a large sculpture) and tethered it on the campus May 15, 1971.Brian and his young family moved to Farmington, CT where he had taken a position as an Art and Photography teacher at Farmington High School. It is a town and school that fondly remembers him still. While teaching he continued his interest in Hot Air Balloons, built several more, began flying them and earned his commercial license in 1973. Brian eventually gave up teaching at FHS to pursue a life in Ballooning, designing and building hundreds of Hot Air Balloon and Airship systems. He set several World Records in his own lighter-than-air aircraft, has flown all over the world and logged over 11,000 hours of flight time. Along the way he also received a fixed wing license. His many innovations in ballooning were freely shared with others. He was a natural teacher who shared his skills and love of aviation with many. He so enjoyed flying, that, if not flying with others, he took solo "therapy flights" every day he could (with great appreciation for the many neighbors and others who gave him rides back home!)He purchased the Post Mills Airport in 1988. Today, Post Mills Airport is recognized as a world epicenter of experimental hot air ballooning and reflects Brian's expansive personality and creativity. It is home to the private Museum of Rusty Dusty Stuff, the Vermontasaurus, fire trucks, treehouses, and many other flying, driving, and floating creations which have graced local parades, lakes, rivers, and celebrations over the years. Brian's impact on the Post Mills community will be long lasting.Brian is predeceased by his parents, Frank and Margaret Boland, and his son, Jeffrey. He is survived by his life partner, Tina Foster, of Post Mills, his sister and brother-in-law, Sue and Art Weyermuller of Myrtle Beach SC, and his brother, Kevin Boland of Winter Springs FL. He also leaves countless dear friends and colleagues from Post Mills, the surrounding area and from the near and far reaches of the worldwide Ballooning community.We will hold a celebration of his life on the airfield at Post Mills Airport on Sunday, August 1 at 2 pm. Please bring your stories and memories. If you have any pictures you would be willing to provide for an exhibit, please bring them, and perhaps a little snack to share. There will be some music, a chance to tell some tales, and time and space to enjoy the company of others and Brian's indomitable spirit. Bring your own chair if you can. Due to Vermont now being in "high risk" COVID transmission status, we encourage masking. We will also hold the Experimental Balloon and Airship Association gathering in September as previously scheduled To plant Memorial Trees in memory of Brian J Boland, please click here to visit our Sympathy Store.

Tributes

Brian J Boland

April 15, 1949 - July 15, 2021