Mel Boland

My deepest sympathies to all the Boland families on the sad passing of Mel , I remember him so well from AM PM Rathgar where I worked with Mick and Colm , a true gentleman, I am truly so sorry for your great loss, my thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time, may Mel rest in eternal peace.

To my little brother

, Two smiling eyes stopped smiling,
A golden heart stood still,
We don’t know why God took you,
And guess we never will.
He only lent you to us,
Then came and took you back,
To us you were so precious,
Your life was full of fun,
A caring, loving brother,

Missing you so much 😢

Your sister,

Clairebear xxxxx

May he rest in peace.

My life changed the day I met Mel, and it changed again the day I learned he left this world. The intervening time was one of the happiest in my life. It is said that a person is never dead until the ripples they cause in the world die away. As a result, Mel will never really be gone. He has affected too many people in the most positive way for that to be the case. He brought an abundance of joy and especially laughter to the lives of so many, and he will never be forgotten for that.

Mel was nothing short of brilliant. He taught me so much, and not just academically. I learned so much from and with him. Unfortunately the tears I shed today are not the tears of laughter I thought we would experience together for many many more years.

I will always miss Mel. I will never ever forget him. I extend my condolences to his family, friends and colleagues and hope that they may find some comfort in their memories of an extraordinary man. May Mel rest in peace.

My deepest condolences to Mel’s family and friends on his sudden passing.

Tom & the Boland family, sincere sympathy on the death of Mel, R.I.P. at this sad and difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers and, for Mel, we pray that he may enjoy walking the fair greens of heaven forever. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis agus leaba i measc na nAingeal agus na Naomh go raibh aige.

Dear Paul, Tommy, Mick and Family, so sorry to hear of Mel's passing, you are all in my thoughts and prayers, regards Peter.

So very sorry to hear of Mel’s passing. Sincere sympathies to all Mel’s family.

Very sorry to hear of this terribly sad news. I sat beside Mel during our days in Terenure College together. What a wonderful guy. He was so bright, a true scholar with a special gift for languages, a great sense of humour and a lovely singing voice too. I hadn’t seen Mel in many years, but I never forgot him, and never will. Farewell, gentle soul.

My deepest condolences to Mel's family, friends, colleagues and students. His wonderfully warm presence, both in class and along the Arts Millennium Building corridor, will be greatly missed by all.

I was both shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Mel.....one of life's gentlemen. My condolences to all of his family.....Rest in peace Mel

I taught this wonderful young man in Terenure College many years ago.
I am shocked and saddened at this awful news.
May he rest in peace.

I was so saddened to hear this news over the past weekend. I was a student of linguistics alongside Mel in our BA in UCD many, many years ago. We lost touch as we both travelled new paths following graduation. I am not at all surprised to read the academic journey Mel followed. He was an incredibly enthusiastic, interested, infinitely patient, studious scholar, yet always found a moment for the shared giggle ... I remember so very clearly his ever smiling baby face with a most definite twinkle in his eye. He had what can only be described as an impishly wicked sense of humour and we shared many laughs together.
I have never seen such beautiful tributes, capturing so precisely the essence of who he was, and clearly continued to be. I am truly sorry for all those who have lost him from their lives, as a family, a friend, a colleague, a teacher... I feel blessed to have known Mel, and only wish I hadn't let life get in the way of continuing contact. He was a truly special guy. RIP Mel.

So sorry to hear this news. El Rey de estudiantes sobre el Senor Hussey! Sincere condolences to all the Boland family. RIP

My deepest sympathies to Mel’s family and many friends and colleagues at University of Galway, where he will be greatly missed.

The heartfelt and beautiful celebrations of Mel’s life here, his dedication to his students and his support for his colleagues say everything about a much-loved man. Condolences to all his family and friends at this terribly hard time. Mel will be remembered with admiration and fondness, and will be sadly missed.

I am so sorry for the loss of Mel to current and future students of Spanish. He taught me for 4 years at NUIG and despite our not so positive interest in linguistics he won us all over with his enthusiasm, wit and sarcasm. Thanks to Mel and his colleagues I am living in Spain with my family for the last five years and speaking the language every day. Que descanses en paz Mel.

Just stunned to see this news appear on my system. I didn't know Mel well, but we had coincided at the same conference on three or more occasions and had shared thoughts on the profession over a glass of wine. I know from others that he was a key figure in keeping things afloat where he worked. Deepest condolences.

Just receiving this sad news today. So sorry for your loss Eamon. Sincere sympathy and condolences to all of Mels family & friends. May he rest in peace.

Heartfelt condolences to the family and very many friends of Mel. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam dilis.

I was so very sorry to hear this sad news. I knew Mel from our years together at Terenure College. My main memory is of him always having a smile on his face. My condolences to his family.

I am so saddened to hear about Mel.
He came to teach in my secondary school in 1999-2000 and he helped me so much prepping for my Spanish Leaving Cert exam. Coincidentally, I went to UCD to study Spanish & Linguistics where yet again he was on hand as my tutor; taking time to cover course work I missed when I got sick during my first term. He was also part of my friend circle there, and it is with sadness I realise how long it has been since I had last seen him. He really was such a great person, and I remember him with deep fondness.
RIP, Mel.

I was so very sorry to hear of Mel's passing. I have such great memories of us playing in the grove as kids. My thoughts are with you all during this time. May Mel rest in peace

Mel was an inspiring lecturer, a wonderful man and a great friend to me.

As a lecturer he introduced me to many wonderful elements of Latin American literature along with helping me to enhance my enthusiasm for the Spanish language. He became a good friend, and we had many wonderful times together.

Some of my favourite memories of Mel involved watching (and celebrating) Liverpool's champions league win in 2005 together in what was then The Living Room bar; being in Montreal at the same time as he was attending a conference there and having a brilliant St Patrick's celebration with him; going for a drink and watching the Euros in Malaga the night before one of my Erasmus exams - thankfully the exam went fine(!); him giving me a Spanish nickname, Ganso, as he tended to do, a nickname which stuck for a good few years.

As many have said, his smile and laugh were infectious and he was regularly the life and soul of the party. He was a great conversationalist and any time I ran into him we would chat away with ease. He will be hugely missed by many and I only wish I saw him more frequently in recent years.

It's clear that he touched the lives of many people and brought great joy to this world. My heartfelt sympathy to all his family. May he rest in peace.

Dear Claire and all the family, we are so sorry for the loss of Mel.
Sending our heartfelt love and prayers.
Love from your cousins Michael, Angela and Marie in Manchester and Christine in Canada. X

Sincere sympathy to the Boland family on the passing of Mel May he Rest in Peace

Deepest condolences to all the boland family
Such great memories growing up together in the grove
Rest in peace mel x

Deepest sympathy to the extended Boland family on Mels sad passing.

May he Rest In Peace.

My heartfelt condolences to the Boland family. Mel was a wonderful colleague whose smile and humour brightened every day. He was taken far too early and will be so dearly missed by all of us. May he rest in peace.

Sincere condolences to Mel's family, friends and colleagues in NUIG. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Edel Camon, former student 2005-2010.

Mick, Claire
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother Mel.
Thinking of you and your family at this difficult time,
May he R.I.P xx

Absolutely shocked to hear today that Mel has died. He was a great lecturer, always had a quirky take on a topic that helped you learn. Condolences to his family and colleagues at University of Galway.
RIP Mel.

Mel, our paths crossed in Galway for six years and thereafter at AHGBI and other conferences. I can still see your smile now, always will, I can still hear your laughter now, always will, and no Hispanist I’ve met has ever matched your brilliant lightning-fast ability to conjure up puns in both Spanish and English. Puns that made my eyes water, that made us all double up with laughter, that made our Hispanist social occasions unforgettable joys. You have been taken far, far too soon. You and your wonderful human warmth will always be greatly missed by everyone in our ‘Spanish’ worlds of learning, teaching and research. With the most heartfelt condolences to your family and loved ones, and to your Galway colleagues, at this saddest of times. Tu amigo de siempre, Chris.

Siempre estarás en nuestros pensamientos.

Sincere condolences to Mel's family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.

Our deepest condolences to Paul, Tommy, and the entire Boland family on your loss. We are thinking of you all at this time.

Sincere sympathy to all Mel's family and his work colleagues at NUI Galway on his sudden death. Mel was a breath of fresh air to all who knew him. Devoted to his students and to his discipline he exuded happiness and great human warmth and you always felt better when you met him. May his kind and gentle soul now rest in peace.
Catherine O'Brien (ex Dept of Italian, NUI, Galway).

My deepest condolences to all Mel's loved ones.
I was deeply saddened to hear of his passing. As a former student, I often think of moments from our classes together that helped shape my love of and curiosity for language and literature.
We were lucky to have had him.
Descansa en paz.

Sincere condolences to Martin and all the Boland family on the sad and untimely death of your brother, Mel. May he Rest in Peace

I am so shocked and saddened to hear the news of Mel's passing. Mel was a gifted teacher, and I used to look forward to his Spanish classes. His wit always made me laugh, and I still remember some of his excellent explanations of grammar and linguistics. He inspired me to pursue linguistics, and I think of him and his classes often. He will be so missed. I give my deepest condolences to his family and loved ones, and I hope you will be somewhat comforted by the wonderful memories that everyone is sharing here. I am so, so sorry for your loss.

Our Mel, words cannot even explain the pain we’re feeling from all of this. Life has felt so surreal since your passing and it’s incredibly hard to believe you’ve left us. My strong family, we’ll get through this together. Christmas will never be the same without you, your witty comments and laugh around the table. I know you’re taken care of up there. We love and miss you so much

I am so deeply saddened to hear of Mel's passing. He was an excellent, interesting lecturer and a wonderfully kind person. He was so quick witted and shared his time and intellect so generously. I am thankful to have known him. Sincerest condolences to his family and all those who knew and loved him.

Deepest condolences to all the Boland family for the loss of Mel. May he rest in peace.

I am very sorry to hear the news about Mel. I remember him so well as an eager student of linguistics in UCD, who always enjoyed a joke. He was a very talented academic and an all round great guy.

Mel was a great lecturer and a great person, always willing to help his students. Condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.

We are so sorry to hear about Mel's passing. We apologise deeply that we can not attend the funeral. But our thoughts and wish are with you all at this very sad time.

Very sorry to hear this news. He was a wonderful teacher, always there to help and reassure. He will be sadly missed among his students. My sincere condolences to his family. May he rest in peace.

Deepest condolances to you Eamonn and all the Boland family on the your loss. May Mel rest in peace.

Sincerely sorry to hear about this
Mel was an enthusiastic and caring teacher. May he rest in peace.

Mel was a brilliant scholar and also great fun. He will be badly missed by everyone who knew him. My most sincere condolences to his family, his many friends and colleagues. Descanse en paz

Tommy and Family, thinking of you all and sending so much love x

To Paul and Tommy,so sorry to hear of the passing of your brother.Thinking of you both and all the Boland family at this sad time.

Deepest condolences to all the Boland family, relatives and friends and to the personnel of the Spanish Department on the sad passing of Mel. I remember him as being an excellent lecturer and teacher while I attended NUIG as a mature student. But I also recall the many unhurried conversations and laughs we had when we met in between classrooms and corridors. His help and genuine care of his students was outstanding. Que descanza en paz Mel.

To Mel's family and friends. I got to know Mel through Paul and Lisa. Mel was an extraordinary man. Witty, intelligent and kind. His company brought sunshine. He will be remembered always x

Sincere condolences to Mel's family, friends and colleagues at this time. I was a classmate of Mel's back in UCD. I remember his wit, kindness and joy at tracing the evolution of Spanish words - it was like opening up an entire universe to us. I am so glad he got to follow his interest.
This will be a difficult time for colleagues in the University of Galway also. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Condolences to the Boland family on your loss. May Mel rest in eternal peace.

I was shocked to hear the terrible news about Mel. I have nothing but fond memories of Mel, his wit, and his kindness to others. My deepest sympathies to the Boland family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a h'anam dílis

Condolences to Paul, Tom and the Boland family at this sad time.
Thinking of ye. May he rest in peace.
Clodagh, and all at Bookstation Cork.

So sorry to hear such sad news a brillant student kind caring just a beautiful gentleman all round.Rest forever with the Lord himself.

I was so saddened to hear about Mel's passing. He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and I also had the pleasure of having him as my lecturer. He was always so full of life and fun and wit, always welcoming and helpful. He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.