Maurice H. "Moe" Boerger, 90, recently of Harrisburg, PA, passed away peacefully March 9, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ft. Loramie, Ohio, to the late Julian and Rose (Meyer) Boerger, Moe worked for many years as a self-employed sign painter. He was an artist and storyteller, avid Ohio sports fan, card player, and amateur farmer. Moe's generosity touched the lives of all who knew him. In addition, he leaves behind a legacy of poetry, stories and works of art. He will be missed by his many friends and family.

He is survived by his former wife and lifelong friend Nancy (Hughes) Boerger of Grantville, PA; his children Philip (Kira) of Loxahatchee, FL, Sue Hannon (Don) of Grantville, PA, Beth of Grove City, PA, Peg Heaney of Pittsburgh, PA, Becca of Kingston, PA, Tom (Naoko) of Palo Alto, CA, Matt (Andrea) of Wyomissing, PA, Mary of Pittsburgh, PA, and Jeffrey of Hanover Twp, PA; Grandchildren: Aaron, Anisa, Aliya, Sera, Monica, Andrew, Tricia and Josh; 3 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Martha Hecker, Mary Connair, Madgie (Gene) Derringer, Dick and Joe, and many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he is predeceased by his siblings Rita, Susie, and Ben.

Service to be held at 10am Monday, March 13 at Greenfield Senior Living at Graysonview, Harrisburg, PA. In lieu of flowers, donations in Moe's name in honor of his sister Susie can be made to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

A Celebration in Memory of Maurice H. "Moe" Boerger March 13, 2017 10:00 am

Greenfield Senior Living at Graysonview Harrisburg, PA

In Loving Memory of Maurice H. "Moe" Boerger May 13, 1926 – March 9, 2017

Welcome

Our Lives Matter We come together from the diversity of our grieving, to gather in the warmth of these friends and family, giving stubborn witness to our belief that in times of sadness, there is room for laughter. In times of darkness, there always will be light. May we hold fast to the conviction that what we do with our lives matters and that a caring world is possible after all. by M. Maureen Killoran

Eulogy – Becca Boerger

Reflections by family members

Reading – read by Sue Hannon Not, how did he die, but how did he live? Not, how did he die, but how did he live? Not, what did he gain, but what did he give? These are the units to measure the worth Of a man as a man, regardless of his birth. Nor what was his church, nor what was his creed? But had he befriended those really in need? Was he ever ready, with words of good cheer, To bring back a smile, to banish a tear? Not what did the sketch in the newspaper say, But how many were sorry when he passed away? by Anonymous

Reflections by friends Hello. Welcome to all the friends and family of my dad, Moe (Maury) Boerger. At a time of loss, of disconnection, it is a comfort to come together and share our memories, to forge new connections with those who are walking through the same territory.

My dad was an artist, with great creativity and imagination. He loved telling stories to children. When I was a little girl, the stories were about Mr. Bergen, and his struggles with the pesky flock of blackbirds who tormented his rest beneath a backyard tree. For my younger siblings, there were stories about Charlie, Elmer and Lucy fox, who explored the world, especially southeastern Ohio, not always wisely. Other stories were about his life on the family farm when he was a boy, his time in the Army in Puerto Rico, and his experiences with work.

My father had the gift of bringing joy to others. I will never forget the times when he would push me on our tree swing until I was giggling so hard I could hardly breathe. He would go out to play in the snow, or entertain us with goofy faces and voices.

His creativity was everywhere: walls covered with his paintings, the magical (to me) set of bunk beds and a loft he built for Phil, Tom, and Matt when we lived in Schoeneck, the alternate lyrics he would make up about songs. He loved to sing, with a wonderful voice in the church choir, and on car trips short and long. With dad, life was always an adventure.

My dad's religion was very important to him, and his belief in the teachings of his Catholic faith was evident every day. There was always a shrine to the Madonna in our yard, and we frequently said the rosary as a family. He was always generous in his support of his church, and many charities. He risked his life trying to save Connie Neal, our neighbor's baby girl, when their house caught fire. When their home couldn't be saved, he gave them the small house he had recently bought, and had us all help get it ready for its new owners. He couldn't help taking in strays – human and otherwise. He taught us children that we were responsible for our fellow creatures.

The other bedrock foundation of his life was family. He took us to see Grandma and Grandpa in Ft. Loramie every year when we lived in Lancaster County. His relationships with his brothers and sisters were one of the foundations of his life, and I hope that they will speak about him themselves. His nieces and nephews held a special place in his heart, and they loved him back. He loved making us laugh.

My father's life had a dark side as well. He suffered from mental illness for many years, which left him with almost unbearable emotional pain. His creativity, which could create such beauty and joy, also conjured vivid pictures of a threatening world.

It took years for me to recognize the strength he showed in fighting that illness. He used his painting, his poetry, and other writing to let out his fear, his loneliness, his sorrow. He drove himself to keep working in spite of crippling depression, so he could care for his wife and children. When he couldn't stand it any longer, he would get in his truck and hit the road, for impromptu visits or just to wander. But in spite of his efforts, his illness led to many losses.

And then, when it seemed impossible, his doctors found a medication that quieted the demons. The threatening voices, the rushing thoughts, the desperate need to make others understand what he saw: these afflictions were taken away.

The first years were difficult. Dad was isolated and lonely. But Moe Boerger was strong and tough, and he persevered. He started painting again, hundreds of brightly colored flowers as well as his more traditional farm scenes and experiments with geometric forms. Slowly he rebuilt old relationships and developed new ones.

Some wonderful people supported my dad in these later years. On behalf of all my brothers and sisters, I want to thank my sister, Sue Hannon, for her dedication to him, in spite of her own struggles. Without Sue, Dad would have had a much harder time. Uncle Joe, Aunt Mary, and all his brothers and sisters were there for him throughout his life as well.

Finally, he found a home here, with all of you. His life here was a true blessing to him, a time of companionship after years of lonely wandering. And he treasured his friend and roommate Butch.

So today, while we mourn Moe's passing, and the hole he leaves in so many lives, we can also celebrate the life of this remarkable individual. The tapestry of his life may have contained dark strands and periods of ugly chaos, but in the end he wove a beautiful pattern, one he can be proud of, wherever his spirit now lives.

There was so much more to my Dad's life than I have mentioned here. At this time, I invite family members to come forward and tell their stories.

Closing Words Psalm 23 23 The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. 3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. 5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Benediction May the Love which overcomes all differences, which heals all wounds, which puts to flight all fears, which reconciles all who are separated, be in us and among us now and always. Amen

Closing Hymn: How Great Thou Art