Ira Munn Boardman III, whose niece Kathryn Drumheller works at National Life, died Sunday, November 27, 2016, in Ellenburg, New York after becoming lost for eight days in the Adirondacks during a hunting trip. A loving and committed father, Munn leaves behind his two children, Ira Munn Boardman IV and Rachael M. Boardman. His pride for their accomplishments was evident in the time he spent helping them to fulfill their passions for hockey and horses.
Munn was born on February 27, 1958 in Burlington, Vermont, the son of Lillian Schroeder Boardman and Ira Munn Boardman, Jr. He graduated from Rice Memorial High School and earned a business degree at Assumption College in Worcester, MA. After graduating from college, he joined Hickok & Boardman Insurance Agency in 1981 and experienced a long and successful insurance career. Until retirement in 2014, Munn was instrumental in building and maintaining a varied client base in the St. Alban’s office. He was known for his work ethic, unpretentious style, warmth and good humor; many clients still remain close friends today.
An avid outdoorsman his entire life, Munn’s early years were spent mastering the art of trout fishing at the Lake Mansfield Trout Club, hunting the woods of Stowe at his family deer camp, and duck hunting in South Hero on the shores of Lake Champlain. Over the years, Munn participated in the Lake Champlain Invitational Fishing Derby, sometimes bringing in that elusive 10 pounder. He also traveled to the Canadian provinces of Manitoba and Alberta as well as the states of Wyoming and Montana to hunt a range of game including white tail deer, bear, timber wolf and more. Munn’s final years were spent doing what he loved- farming and hunting on his 500 plus acres in the Adirondacks.
Thank you to the thousands of family and friends, as well as the 30 agencies that supported Munn’s search day after day with boots on the ground, prayers and kindness. We especially thank the Ellenburg Center Fire Department, Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers, and New York State Police who were unrelenting in their focus to find Munn.
In addition to his children, Munn leaves behind his mother, Lillian to whom he was a devoted son, his siblings Linda Boardman, Deborah Boardman Davis (Grant), Scott Boardman (Carol), his former wife, Colleen M. Boardman and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his father, Ira Munn Boardman, Jr.
Visiting hours will take place on Thursday, December 1 from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm at Corbin & Palmer, Inc., 9 Pleasant Street, Essex Junction, VT. A celebration of Munn’s life will take place on Friday, December 2 at 11:00 am, Christ the King Church, 136 Locust Street, Burlington, VT.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to the Forest Ranger Scholarship Foundation, Inc. PO Box 72, Warrensburg, New York 12885.