Wallace E. Boen

Wallace E. Boen, 95, of Brockton since 1962, passed away peacefully on May 17, 2021. Born and raised on a farm in Strandquist, Minnesota, Wally earned degrees from Bemidji State College and the University of North Dakota where he studied Physical Education. He served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean Conflict, and while stationed in Ohio met a beautiful nurse, Mary Andrews from Boston, who became his cherished wife.  After leaving the service, he taught for ten years in Minnesota and North Dakota, then moved to Brockton and continued his teaching career at Abington High School for ten years, and then served as Athletic Director and a teacher at Southeastern Regional High School for nineteen years before retiring. 

Wally’s true passion was coaching children, and over the course of his fifty year coaching career, he influenced the lives of thousands of kids, from Little League, Pony League and American Legion baseball to basketball and volleyball. In Little League, he coached all six of his sons, and won six City Championships, a much admired feat. His 1980 Brockton American Legion team won the State Championship. In his final coaching stint, he led his 1993 Southeastern Girls Volleyball team to an undefeated season, and of that he was very proud. He was elected to the Massachusetts Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 1995, and Southeastern Regional named the baseball field in his honor. His friend and fellow coach Tom Graham once described Wally as “an inspiration to the young men he coached for many years. He has been an excellent example for younger coaches to emulate and has been described as an ambassador for high school baseball.” He was a member, treasurer and council member of Gethsemane Lutheran/Prince of Peace church during his decades in Brockton.

He was the beloved husband of Mary E. (Andrews) Boen for 65 years; loving father of Robert Boen of Brockton, Carl Boen (and Karen) of Plymouth, Maureen Hagan (and Gene) of Holbrook, James Boen of Middleboro, Daniel Boen (and Marie) of Brockton, Joseph Boen (and Pamela) of Sandwich, Elizabeth Boen (and Kevin Orr) of Chestnut Hill, Barbara Edgar of Newton, and Patrick Boen (and Sheley) of Mansfield; grandfather of 18; great-grandfather of 2; brother of Vernice Sandgren of Bemidji, MN, and the late Marvin, Kenneth and Orlean Boen, and Margaret Kelly; and an uncle to many nieces and nephews.

All are welcome to calling hours Thursday, May 20th from 3-7 p.m. in Waitt Funeral Home, 850 North Main St., Brockton, his funeral service on Friday, May 21st at 10 a.m. in Prince of Peace Church, 906 North Main St., Brockton and committal at Massachusetts National Cemetery, Bourne. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Prince of Peace Church, 906 North Main St., Brockton, MA 02301 or to a Little League in your town.

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