Michael Francis Bollman

All who knew Michael Bollman would agree that he put the zing into life. He was so vibrant and full of life, a man who took not even one moment for granted. Mike was well respected in his career and accomplished so much of which to be proud, yet he was a humble man whose greatest joy was found in the family he loved more than life itself. He was a true character who always came up with the best practical jokes. Not only was he talented in his chosen career, but he lived to inspire those who were beginning their journey into the field he loved, encouraging them to be their best above all else. Taken from those he loved far too soon, Michael will be deeply missed while the footprint he leaves behind remains deeply embedded in the sands of time. As the fifties were drawing to a close in America we were poised for greatness. There were unprecedented strides taken in both civil rights and womens rights while our desire to see beyond our world took shape in our endless pursuit of peace, justice and the American way. Nestled within this time was the year 1959 that boasted of great joy for one active family from Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, as they were thrilled to announce the birth of their healthy baby boy on July 21st. Michael F. was the youngest of three sons born to his parents, Robert and Frances (Gostola) Bollman, and he was raised in the family home alongside his older brothers, Ronald and Daniel. His father worked as a farmer while his mother had more than enough to keep her busy with a bustling brood of boys. As a young boy Mike did a lot of reading and had an active imagination. He loved John Wayne as a mentor, from his hat down to his boots. It wasnt uncommon for Mike to quote him saying, Saddle up, lets get going. Were burning daylight. A mans gotta do, what a mans gotta do. With an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Mike graduated from Sacred Heart Academy in 1977, but that was only the beginning. He then went on to Central Michigan University, Tulane Graduate School, and Tulane Law School. Mike also attended Kansai University of Foreign Studies in Osaka, Japan. As a young man Mike worked hard, and he continued to do so in order to pay for school. His earliest days in the work force found him working as a farmer, a truck driver, a bouncer, a bartender, an oil field roustabout, a pipe-fitter, a bookstore clerk, and an English language teacher. After completing his education in law school Mike embarked on what would be a highly rewarding career. He started out with the Orleans Parish District Attorneys Office where he remained for 15 years. During that time Mike was an assistant district attorney assigned to the trials division, and he only rose to the top from there. He was later appointed as deputy chief of trials, chief of the violent offender strike force, and ultimately chief of trials. In fact, he was the longest running chief of trials under Harry Connick, having held the position from 1994 until 2003. During Mikes tenure as chief of trials, violent crime dropped more sharply in New Orleans than anywhere else in the history of the United States. He worked as lead counsel in thousands of cases and tried nearly 200 jury trials in Orleans Parish throughout his career. It could be argued that being an assistant district attorney, and particularly chief of trials, was simply in Mikes blood. He loved the job, and he loved supervising and working with his attorneys as well. Not only was he successful in his own career, but Mike shaped the minds and careers of hundreds of young assistant district attorneys, leaving a legacy that will live on for decades. He received numerous awards from Victims and Citizens Against Crime and was named Top Trial Attorney and Assistant District Attorney of the year. Mikes career successes didnt end there. He was also an adjunct professor in the Tulane Trial Advocacy program for 10 years. Additionally, Mike was an associate attorney for the law firm of Bienvenu, Foster, Ryan, and O'Bannon, as well as a trial attorney for the criminal division of the Louisiana Attorney General's Office. While he was busy working toward his career Mikes life was changing in so many other ways. His first marriage was to Patricia Faijkowski whom he met in law school at Tulane University. Together he and Patricia were blessed with three children, Patrick Michael, Mary Katherine, and Kelsey Anne. Michael was forever thankful for the children they shared. It was while working in New Orleans that Mike met Jackie Maloney. The couple hit it off and their relationship grew even stronger after surviving the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina. They were later married on a boat in New Orleans. Mike and Jackie were blessed to become the parents of a baby boy they named Colton Robert. With his leisure time, Mike enjoyed pursuing his interests. He loved celebrating Saint Patricks Day and Mardi Gras and was a sports fanatic. Mike enjoyed hunting and made a point to come back to Michigan for deer season to hunt with his family near his childhood home. There was no greater gift in Mikes life than his family. He was a devoted son, dedicated brother, and loving father and husband. Mikes children, stepdaughter, and wife adored him, and the memories they made together are simply priceless. Through the life he lived each day Michael Bollman was a man of great character, integrity, and honor. His life exemplifies what it means to work hard, yet he also took time to enjoy life along the way. Mikes love for his family was unmatched, and his commitment to the community he called home for much of his life is to be admired. We will remember his words of wisdom, his spirit of adventure, and his drive to succeed, but most of all we will remember his love. Michaels family includes his wife, Jacqueline Frances Maloney; children, Patrick Michael Bollman, Mary Katherine Bollman, Kelsey Anne Bollman and Colton Robert Bollman; stepdaughter, Emily Sophia Ricalde; mother, Frances Bollman; and brothers Ronald (Vera) Bollman and Daniel Bollman. Mike was preceded in death by his father, Robert Bollman. His funeral is 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 6, at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home in Mt. Pleasant with Father Loren Kalinowski officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Please visit www.charlesrlux.com where you can leave a memory or sign the online guestbook.