Harv and Mary Ann Boyat

Mary Ann (Gardonio) Boyat age 92 of Duluth, died on July 21, 2024. She was born in Cordenons, Italy, on December 17, 1931. At the age of 6, Mary Ann and her mother moved to the United States. They joined her father, who had already been working in the States for a couple of years. Not knowing any English, Mary Ann was given one year to assimilate to American life, before joining the first grade. She was a 1950 graduate of Morgan Park High School. She met the love of her life, Bob “Harvey” Boyat while roller skating at the Curling Club. They built their home in Smithville. There, they raised 5 beautiful children, and many stray animals. They celebrated over 50 years of marriage before Harvey’s passing in 2010. Her church, St. Georges Serbian Orthodox Church was always close to Mary Ann’s heart. She was past President of the St. George’s Ladies Circle, and a member of their choir. She was also engaged in many civic organizations, serving as President of Duluth AFS and PTA for Duluth Public Schools. In 1999 Mary Ann had the opportunity to travel back to Cordenons and stay in the house where she was born. Later in life, she wintered in Tuscan, AZ. More than anything, Mary Ann loved her family. Her love-language was baking and cooking. She learned how to make various traditional Serbian dishes. Her famous “Boyat bars” will never be forgotten. Mary Ann is preceded in death by her parents, Angelo & Luigia (Cancian) Gardonio; husband, Bob “Harvey” Boyat; daughter-in-law, Jill Ann; and sister, Maria Gardonio. She is survived by children, Stephanie (Thom) Boyat-Chartier, Angela (Joel Gustafson) Boyat Gustafson , Dr. Robert (Jill Marie) Boyat; Grant Boyat, and Kyle (Shelia) Boyat; 8 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. The family would like to thank all of the care givers at River Hill Vita Care Home, and Ecumen Hospice for all of their loving care and attention they gave Mary Ann in her final days. Robert Milos "Harvey" Boyat Robert Milos "Harvey" Boyat, 80, of Duluth, passed away on Thursday, October 21, 2010 at University Hospital in Mpls, MN with his loving family at his side. Bob was born on May 23, 1930 in Duluth, MN to Serbian immigrant parents, Marija and Radovan Boyat. He was the youngest of ten children born into a loving, hard working household. Bob graduated from Denfeld High School in 1948, and served in the Duluth Air Guard. He played many sports in his youth including baseball, softball, broomball, bocce, and was a star defenseman for the UMD Bulldog hockey teams from 1948 to 1950 and from 1953 to 1954. As head coach from 1954 to 1955 Bob led the UMD Men's Hockey Team to a winning season. He was the #3 player who skated into the camera for the KDAL Station Identification television commercial for many years. In 1956 Bob was one of the first of three individuals to complete all graduation requirements at UMD for the Masters of Science in Education program. Bob retired in 1990 from the Duluth Public School System where he was a loved and respected elementary school teacher and principal for many years. He was a driver's training instructor and a referee for high school hockey games. Bob was an extremely devout member of the St. George Serbian Orthodox Church where he currently served as a tutor, was involved with the Men's Club Scholarship Committee, the Choir, was a former Sunday school teacher, and served as past president of the executive board. In 1998 Bob was awarded an Episcopal Gramata, the highest honor awarded to a lay person, from the Midwest Diocese of America for his exemplary service towards his church and faith. Bon and his wife MaryAnn spent the past 18 years wintering in sunny Tucson, AZ where they enjoyed the love and company of family and friends. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather and will be greatly missed by many. Bob greatly enjoyed his monthly Raleigh Street breakfasts. Bob was preceded in death by his parents, brother Zeke, sisters Angeline Bibel, Polly Tardy, Dorothy Rish and two infant sisters, and a daughter-in-law Jill Ann Boyat. Bob is survived by his loving wife of 53 years, MaryAnn, daughters Stephanie (Thom) Boyat-Chartier, and Angela Boyat of Duluth, sons Dr. Robert (Jill) of Mpls, Grant (Pam Carlson) of Duluth, and Kyle of Esko, eight grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and one on the way, brother Milt of Duluth, sisters Anne Weger and Helen Russel of California, brother in law Kenneth Rish of Duluth, and many nieces and nephews.