Michel Boxberger's Obituary
Michel Boxberger died on Thursday, January 16th 2014 in Fairfax, Virginia. Mr. Boxberger was born on September 3rd, 1927 in Versailles, France. He was educated in France where he studied broadcast engineering. Michel came to the United States in 1970, fell in love with this country, eventually became a U.S. citizen and resided in New York City and Westchester County, New York for many years before retiring in Potomac Falls, Virginia.
Michel began his distinguished career as a broadcast engineer with Thomson-CSF (now Thales Group), one of Europe's largest multinational Aerospace and Defense companies, traveling around the world whenever TV stations were being built. He later became a senior executive of the Group and after coming to the U.S., led Thomson Corporation of America (Thales' then North American arm) as its Chairman and CEO from 1978 to 1988. He was instrumental in greatly expanding the Group's operations in the U.S. and Canada.
On July 1st, 1985, Mr. Boxberger was awarded the distinction of "Chevalier dans l'Ordre National de la Légion d'Honneur" in recognition of his professional accomplishments and services rendered to France. In addition, for several years and until shortly before his death, Mr. Boxberger was an active member of the Comité National des Conseillers du Commerce Extérieur de la France (French Foreign Trade Advisors), a network of prominent French senior executives established in 140 countries around the world.
Michel was a world traveler, a wine connoisseur, a lover of classical music and film and a keen observer of political life on both sides of the Atlantic.
Mr. Boxberger is survived by his devoted wife of 35 years, Denise Boxberger of Potomac Falls, VA; two children from a previous marriage: Patrick Boxberger of Toulouse, France and Isabelle Boxberger of Colombes, France; four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren as well as many relatives and friends. He will be sorely missed by all.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Capital Caring Hospice, 2900 Pelestar Ct., Falls Church, Virginia 22042
A celebration of Michel’s life will be held at a later date. Please contact [email protected]
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