John Boles '63

(1945 – 2011)

At North Catholic John Boles was an All-Catholic and All-Scholastic player during his sophomore, junior and senior years. Under NC Soccer Hall of Fame Coach Fr. Daniel McLernan, he was a key member of the 1960, ’61 & ‘62 PCL Championship teams. As a senior Boles would lead the Falcons to an undefeated, untied record of 19-0-0 and the 1962 City Championship title with a 1-0 victory over Mastbaum High School.

At Temple U. from 1964 through 1966 John Boles became a standout midfielder under Hall of Fame coach Pete Leaness. John helped lead Temple to an incredible 43-6-1 record during this time. He earned honorable mention All-America honors in both 1964 & 65. In 1966 Boles was named 1^st Team NSCAA All-America as a senior. He was voted the Mid-Atlantic Conference MVP in 1966. Boles was also named to the Tri-State all-star team three times and was twice named Temple's MVP. During the 1966 season, John led the Owls to their first trip to the NCAA Tournament where they defeated West Virginia in the first round before falling at Michigan State. The team finished 13-2-1. 13 wins was a school-record at the time.

After graduating from Temple, John Boles played professional soccer for the Philadelphia Ukranians, Philadelphia Spartans and the Delaware Wings. At the same time he served as an assistant coach at Temple for seven seasons, first under Coach Leaness and then the legendary Walter Bahr. Boles took over as Temple's head coach in 1974. He proceeded to guide the Owls to 13 ten-win seasons, including a record seven straight from 1974 through 1980. Three of his teams (1978, 1983, 1985) would set a still-standing school mark with 14 wins each with two teams advancing to the NCAA Tournament. His 1976 and 1978 teams won NCAA first round games while the 1985 team lost a hard-fought 6-5 decision to Penn State in the opening round. Boles compiled an impressive 220-110-23 record in his 21 years at the helm and was the A-10 coach of the year in 1988.

During this time John Boles was also employed as a teacher in the Philadelphia School District for 29 years. He also served as the athletic director at Breezy Point Day Camp for more than 20 years. He was married for 42 to years and had a daughter and three sons. John Boles died in 2011 after a long battle with moyamoya disease. He was inducted into the Temple University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1985. John was also elected into the SE Pennsylvania Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.

Obituary

John R. Boles of Ivyland, formerly of Churchville, died peacefully in his home Monday, April 4, 2011, surrounded by his family, following a long battle with moyamoya disease. He was 65.

Born in Philadelphia, he was the son of the late Thomas J. Boles and Florence (Donahue). John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Evelyn (Keppler); his daughter, Jennifer and her husband, John Siwak; three sons, John and his wife, Krista, Jamie and his wife, Lora, and Jeffrey and his life partner, Richard Weyler.

He is survived by eight grandchildren, Tyler, Kaitlin, Megan, Colleen, Jonathan, Dylan, Coleman, and Leanna. He also is survived by his brothers, Joseph and Thomas; and sisters, Florence Darrah and Joanne Pettit. He was the brother of the late Mary Brown and Eileen Mackin.

He was a graduate of Northeast Catholic High School and Temple University. He was a professional soccer player for the Philadelphia Spartans. He was the men’s head soccer coach at Temple University for 19 years and inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. He also was a teacher in the Philadelphia School District for 29 years. He was the athletic director at Breezy Point Day Camp for more than twenty years. He will be greatly missed; his daughter Jennifer said, ‘He was the greatest positive influence in my life.’

Relatives and friends are invited to his viewing from 1:15 to 4:15 p.m. Friday, April 8, at Campbell and Thomas Funeral Home, 905 Second Street Pike in Richboro. His funeral mass will be celebrated at 5 p.m. in Saint Vincent de Paul Church.

His interment will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to the Sunshine Foundation, 1041 Mill Creek Dr., Feasterville, PA 19053.