ALBANY – On Friday, August 23, 2013, Herb Bohl , cherished husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend passed away peacefully at Community Hospice of Albany at Albany Memorial Hospital after a valiant battle with cancer. Born on January 7, 1929, in Albany to the late August C. Bohl and Gertrude Vanderhouten, Herbert J. Bohl grew up with 12 brothers and sisters. Herb graduated from Philip Schuyler High School, served in the Army as SFC during the Korean War and was a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers for 66 yrs. As a vice president of the family business, August Bohl Contracting, Herb worked on many diverse projects. The Olympic Village in Lake Placid and the reconstruction of South Pearl Street in Albany, the SUNY Campus and the South Mall (the Empire State Plaza) and more miles of road and sewer pipe than even he could remember.
Though not a simple man, he lived a simple, honest and compassionate life. He touched countless lives and will be remembered for his impeccable work ethic, strength of character and generosity. He was a farmer at heart and took great care of his cows and his dogs. Wise enough to understand that life should be enjoyed with time for horseshoes and pinochle. His faith in God enabled him to accept life’s challenges with dignity, strength and courage.
Herb is survived by his loving wife of 33 yrs Agnes Fandl Bohl; his children James H. (Helena) Bohl Jr., Linda (Bradley) Yurek, Deborah J. Bohl and August “Gus” Bohl; his identical twin and beloved friend J. Calvin (Shirley) Bohl; his brothers and sisters Arlene (late Frank) Cooley, Charlie (late Joan) Bohl, Ruth (late Robert) Dolan, George (Nancy) Bohl, Richard “Unk” (late Joan) Bohl; his sister-in-law Regina Bohl; his brother in law John C. Fandl; his grandchildren Zachary (Julia) Bohl, Jess M. Bohl, Lucas J. and Brianna Yurek, and Devin J., Cullen M., and Lorraine M. Breen; his very special nephew Michael and wife Linda Doyle; and dear friends Wayne and Sherry Lachappelle and Tim and Joan Butman. He was predeceased by his first wife and mother of his children Lorraine M. Staats Bohl; by his brothers and sisters Jack Bohl, Buddy (Kathleen) Bohl, Rosemary (Bill) Daley, Mickey (George) Berkowitz, Elizabeth Guilianelli, and Jeanne (Charlie) Hart; and by his dear friends Lillian and Bobby Doyle.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday, August 29, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 391 Delaware Ave. Albany. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday from 4 to 8 pm. To remember Herb in a special way, contributions may be made to the St. John’s/ St. Ann’s Center, 88 – 4th Ave. Albany, 12202 or the St. James Food Pantry 391 – Delaware Ave. Albany 12209. To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Click here to view Herb Bohl’s resting place in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont (Town of Bethlehem), NY.
Mrs. Robert L. Harrell, Sr., Jo Anne, Bobby, Carolyn, Dennis, Alice and Ruth
August 26, 2013 at 5:50 pmJimmy, Helena and family, Our deepest sympathy in the loss of your father. A wonderful obituary to a man who has accomplished so much in his life. Our family will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May your faith sustain you in the coming days and weeks. In Christian love, The Harrell Family, Suffolk VA
Glenn, Carolyn, Chance, Madison and Kevin
August 26, 2013 at 6:03 pmJimmy and Helena, So sorry to hear of the loss of Mr. Bohl. We will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Wish we could be there with you. May each day that passes,you find a peace within your heart. In Christian love, The Crowder family.
MJ powell
August 26, 2013 at 8:44 pmWhat a beautiful story and beloved man. Agnes I am so sorry for losing Herb. You both are in my thoughts and prayers.
Tony & Sheila Catalfamo
August 27, 2013 at 5:32 amJim, Helena, and the Bohl Family,
We are very sorry to read about your Dad. Our thoughts and Prayers are with you.
Tony and Sheil Catalfamo
Jack Decatur
August 27, 2013 at 8:29 amAgnes, Arlene and families
I am proud to say I have had the honor of knowing your family for 42 years. Herb was a true gentlemen and will be missed but his accomplishments will never be forgotten.
Jack Decatur
Patti Trifiletti
August 27, 2013 at 12:56 pmAgnes and Family,
Karen and I are so saddened by Herb’s passing. We always looked forward to seeing you both. He was such a nice man, we will miss him and think of him with fondness. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you.
William Piurek
August 27, 2013 at 1:31 pmAgnes, and family,
Herb was a pleasure to work with He will be missed I am proud to have been one of his friends
Kathy and Bob Degnan
August 27, 2013 at 5:04 pmAgnes- our hearts and our prayers are with you and your sadness. Your Herb was a happy ,content , blessed man because of the LOVE he had in his life. You, his family, and dear friends is all that mattered- and he couldn’t and didnt ask for more. Agnes, you were his angel on God’s earth- he is now yours. Take one day- one hour at a time for healing.. He will always be with you…
Sue Boyce
August 27, 2013 at 6:36 pmAgnes,
I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.I am so glad I was able to see you both at the wedding. My memory will always be Herb and you dancing the night away.
Love you and God Bless you.
Sue
Karen and Jack Karins
August 28, 2013 at 1:58 amAgnes,
We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Jack and I enjoyed seeing you both at Finn gatherings and Jack liked to try to beat Herb at horseshoes. His obituary says it all; accomplished so much professionally and loved so much by his family and friends. We are glad to have known him. We extend our deepest sympathy, Agnes.
Kathie Howard
August 28, 2013 at 6:35 amI am very sorry to hear of your father’s passing. I believe I lived up the road from you in the mid 50’s. We rented the old McNeal house for about a year. I so enjoy remembering the fun I had on your farm. I don’t know if you remember us, there were 4 children….Mickey, Agnes, Kathie and Paul. I remember your father working in the barn while we chased the young cows:) Good memories. May he rest in peace. Kathie
John Kilmer
August 28, 2013 at 6:11 pmDebbie and Family I was sorry to hear of your Father passing. He always made me feel welcome, no matter how much havoc Mark and I caused trying to catch and ride your Horses. We need more people like him.
Pat Daley Berg
August 28, 2013 at 6:44 pmDear Agnes, Jimmy, Lindy, Debbie and Gus,
I was so sad to hear of Herb’s passing. I know he will be missed by all! What a wonderful man he was! I have so many happy family memories that included Herb. He was always smiling, laughing and was so fun-loving! I was proud to be his niece and will remember him fondly! I’m so sorry we could not come for the service, but please know you are all in our thoughts and prayers!
Patty and Rick
Mary Muller
August 30, 2013 at 1:09 pmDeborah-
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you mourn the loss of your father. I hope you can find some comfort in the many warm memories you made together as a family. I wish I could have been there, but I just learned of his passing today. Please be kind to yourself as you grieve this loss.
Love,
Mary
Marty and Valerie Harrington
September 15, 2013 at 7:30 pmAgnes,
Marty and I are so sorry to hear of your loss. Herb was a wonderful person -the salt of the Earth.
Some of our fondest memories include the times we shared with you both at Finn dinners.
You are in our thoughts and prayers.