Hollis Earl Boss

It is with great sadness that the family of Hollis E. Boss announces his passing at 99 years of age on July 14, 2024. Nearly reaching centenarian status presents a unique challenge for capturing the scope of his life in a few paragraphs. He wore many hats throughout his life.

Born in Altoona, PA on February 24, 1925, he was raised in Dalton, NY on a small farm in the foothills of the southern tier of Western New York. He graduated from high school in 1942 and joined the Navy in November, 1942. He served proudly through WWII, much of that time assigned to a Patrol Bombing Squadron hunting enemy subs along the coasts of Central and South America. Following the war, he fulfilled his dream of becoming a New York State Trooper, serving from 1946-1948.

In 1948, Hollis made a career move which influenced the rest of his life. He moved to the Buffalo area and became active in the property casualty insurance business—-first with The Hartford Insurance Company for seven years, then moving on to become a successful business owner and entrepreneur. He was the Founder and President of Hollis Boss Agency Inc. (1954-1991), Founder and President of Falcon Claims Service Inc. (1962-1981), Founder and President of FCS Health Care Administrators (1981-1991), Founder and President of Sportsman’s Insurance Agency Inc. for over 20 years until retirement at the age of 85.

Growing up as a kid who loved the outdoors, his passion for hunting and shooting brought him much pleasure and fulfillment throughout his life. After being introduced to skeet shooting (shooting moving clay targets with a shotgun) during training at Navy Gunnery School during WWII, he became involved in skeet shooting as a sport in the late 1950s. He and two of his children, Buddy and Sheila, were active competitive shooters for years with their Dad in New York State and nationally. Hollis became a State Skeet Champion in his own right when he won the prestigious New York State 12 Gauge Championship in 1981.

Beyond being an active competitor and also a certified tournament Referee, Hollis also showed an interest in the governance of the National Skeet Shooting Association (NSSA). In the 1960s Hollis became a National Director on the NSSA Board of Directors, initially representing New York State, then several years later, representing Zone 1 (consisting of seven states in the New England and NE region of the US). He ultimately dedicated eight years to serving as an NSSA Officer including serving as President from 1974-1976. During his years as Vice President and President, Hollis was very influential in decisions made which resulted in the Association’s purchase of land for a Headquarters and Home Grounds facility for the NSSA. Today, this 700-acre complex remains the home of the National Skeet and National Sporting Clays Association where their National Championships are held annually. Following his service at the national level, Hollis continued to support the National Association for several more years in the 1980s back home as President of the New York State Skeet Association. He was inducted for lifelong meritorious service into both the New York State Skeet Hall of Fame at Rochester, New York and into the National Skeet Hall of Fame in San Antonio, TX in 1987. Hollis also served as coach and manager of TEAM USA for Skeet and Trap in 1981and as President of the U.S. Shooting Team Foundation.

He enjoyed many years of big game hunting and sport fishing trips in North America from Alaska and the Yukon Territory all the way to Mexico between 1965 and 1980. Following that, he traveled to Africa nine times for hunting and photo safaris sometimes accompanied by his wife, Jean, and a number of his children and grandchildren. He loved sharing the experience of these adventures with his family and it brought him much joy, as well as many great hunting stories.

Hollis was a proud MASON for over 50 years and an active member of the Ismailia Temple of Buffalo for many years.

Hollis was predeceased by his wife, Jean, daughter, Sheila (Chuck), stepson, Bruce, and grandson, Kevin. He is survived by his daughters, Lonnie, Joan Patricia, and Roxanne (Arthur) and stepdaughters, Kathie (James), and Gerri Ann, and sons, Hollis (aka Chip), and Richard (aka Buddy) (Deborah), and his 14 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.

A joint burial service for Hollis and his wife Jean will be held by  family and close friends in Batavia, NY.

Memorial donations may be sent to Hospice, the American Heart Association or the National Skeet Shooting Association in San Antonio, TX.

Crevasse's Simple Cremation is honored to serve the Boss family.