Michael Boggs
Despite having to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner as usual Tuesday, many Saga, Inc. employees found time to attend the funeral of their former colleague, Michael Boggs, 55, whose son was arrested for his murder last week.
Boggs, known as “Mick” by his friends, had worked as a storeroom supervisor for nine years and was well-liked by both employers and co-workers, as well as by student workers who had contact with him.
Tim Morrison, president of Saga, who hired Boggs nine years ago, characterized him as “a loving, caring person” who was “always willing to help anyone.”
“He did a fine job for us and the college,” Morrison said. “He was very well-liked by our entire staff and will be greatly missed.”
Kevin Kirwan, general manager for Saga, remembered Boggs for his cheerful attitude, strong work ethic and kind treatment of others in the workplace.
“Mick [Boggs] was a good-hearted person,” Kirwan said. “I don’t think I ever heard Mick utter a harsh word about another person. Often when times would be stressful, Mick would find a way through word or action to ease the tension. In his own way, Mick would make folks feel appreciated.”
Becky Morrison’s job as administrative assistant for Saga, brought her into constant contact with Boggs, who worked as a storeroom supervisor, as well as with his son Jonathon Boggs, who worked as a cook’s assistant, and who was recently charged with his father’s murder.
“I, as many of our employees, will miss both employees,” Becky Morrison said.
She said she remembered Michael Boggs for his congenial disposition and his willingness to perform tasks other than those contained in his job description.
“I often would ask Mick to drop his regularly assigned tasks to look for items, make immediate deliveries or other special errands,” she said. “He would take care of anything asked without ever a complaint.”
Senior Talitha Brauer also said she was impressed by Michael Boggs’s work ethic and willingness to help others. Brauer, the student manager for Jitters coffee cart for two years, interacted with Boggs several times a week when she would get supplies from the storeroom.
“Mick was a very kind man and was always willing to help beyond what was required,” Brauer said. “He didn’t have the best job in the world but he definitely put his best into it. It was a lot of hard work—work of service, behind the scenes that no one would know about—but he never complained about it.”
Brauer said she also appreciated Boggs’s wry sense of humor and has fond memories of the jokes they would make with each other when they were having bad days.
“I felt like we understood each other.”
In addition to his humor, Boggs was also known for his love of the outdoors—specifically hunting and fishing.
“I will miss him sharing his vast knowledge of the outdoors, specifically his local hunting and fishing experiences,” Becky Morrison said. “Often, during the seasons, I would ask how things were going ‘out there.’ He loved to tell, in a modest way, what he had taken and some of his plans for that particular season. It was a welcome break from the usual office trivia.”
Morrison also said some of the Boggs’ co-workers were having a hard time dealing with the difficult situation.
“As you might expect, there have been and will continue to be some difficult times for those that worked alongside Mick and Jon,” Morrison said. “They were the kind of people who helped make employees feel like a family and help each other out.”
Brauer said she was also shocked and saddened upon receiving news of Boggs’s death.
“I cried,” Brauer said. “It was just so unfathomable. It just seemed so wrong that he was gone.”
Morrison said many employees attended a group counseling session Thursday put on by a group from the Hillsdale County Critical Incident Stress Management Team. The group has also made individual counseling sessions available.
“[The counseling session] did seem to help some to open up and express their feelings and the team left some suggestions for understanding and coping as time goes by,” she said.
“All of us at Hillsdale are saddened by the death of [Michael] Boggs, who was a longtime employee of Saga and was by all accounts well-liked by his co-workers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family,” Doug Jeffrey, vice president for external affairs department, said on behalf of the college.
Photos courtesy of The Hillsdale Daily News.