Remembering Chairman Mike Boyce

Our collective hearts were broken by the news that former Cobb Chairman Mike Boyce did not survive the surgery he underwent in Indiana after suffering two strokes.

During this difficult time, many who knew and loved Mike have offered up condolences and words of comfort for the family. Mike was a friend to all and was respected and honored, not for his time as chairman of Cobb County, but for the kind, gentle soul that was Mike Boyce.

Mike cared about others more than he cared about himself. What set him apart from other politicians is that Mike held genuine concern and affection for South Cobb and the people who call our community home. 

Attorney Terry Alexis Cummings shared her thoughts with us on Mike saying, “I will remember Mike Boyce as a man who put people before politics. It really didn’t matter to him if you were a Republican or Democrat, Mike would help anyone! I came to know Mike while he was the Chair of the Cobb County Commission, having met him through my friend Shelia Edwards. I would often see Mike out and about and he was always smiling and approachable. While running for local office, I visited Monica Delancey at an event she was hosting at an apartment complex in Austell. Mike showed up by himself. I wasn’t sure why he was there, but of course, I asked if I could tag along. Mike doesn’t go over to the event but instead starts walking towards the apartments. Some residents came out as it was clear he was there to talk to them. They had contacted Mike about the conditions of their apartments. I followed Mike as he went upstairs where a ceiling had fallen, and debris covered the stairs. Mike stepped over the mess and went into a mold-infested apartment where a pregnant woman was living. He also went into an apartment where part of the ceiling had collapsed and had water damage. It was obvious the apartments had been in serious disrepair for some time. Mike was livid. As I walked with Mike while he was taking pictures and making phone calls. He told me that the landlords (who live out of the country) had lied to him by assuring him the problems were resolved.  Several residents that spoke with Mike thanked him for responding to their cries for help when nobody else would. That was the Mike Boyce I will remember. The politician who had a deep love for people and had no problem actually showing up.”  

Terry is right, Mike showed up. He never needed an escort to do his job or waited for an invitation to do what was right for South Cobb. Most importantly, Mike was accessible and approachable. If you wanted to meet with him, he wanted to meet with you. He didn’t play the “busy schedule” game with citizens and he never made them wait weeks or months to get on his calendar. Mike gave out his cell number and answered it himself. If Mike didn’t pick up the call, you would soon get a return phone call from him when he was free. That was Mike. 

One of our South Cobb leaders, Michael Murphy, was someone who was very close to Mike Boyce. I would often call them the two Mikes and playfully tease them about keeping their names straight when they encountered others. Murphy served as Boyce’s special assistant during his tenure as the head of Cobb Government. Their relationship went beyond the office and beyond the government. It rested in a place of mutual love, admiration, and respect, which I often got to see up close. When Mike Boyce and I talked, he would refer to Michael Murphy as his brother. I witnessed a genuine friendship between the two men that I envied. Knowing the close relationship he shared with the former chairman,  I asked Michael to share some words with our SPOTLIGHT readers. Here it goes…

Funeral services honoring Mike have been set in Indiana and here in Cobb. The first service is scheduled for Feb. 3rd at 9:30 a.m. at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart in South Bend, Indiana. Those interested in viewing this service may do so virtually. CaringBridge said a live stream may be available. Those interested may check their page later for more details.  https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/mikeboyce/journal.

A second memorial service will be held at Mike’s home church, Mt. Bethel United Methodist in east Cobb on Feb. 18th at 10 a.m. 

On behalf of the SPOTLIGHT family and our readers, we offer Judy and the family our sincere condolences on the loss of Mike Boyce. We are all grateful for the opportunity to have had him in our lives.