Michael Bolton, former deputy executive director, strategic services, at Chicago's Pace Suburban Bus, passed away in the early hours of April 15, 2017, after battling pancreatic cancer. He was 69.

“It is with great sadness that we share this news. Mike was a powerful force. His enthusiasm and dedication were boundless. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends,” offered T.J. Ross, Pace’s executive director.

He dedicated much of his professional life to public transportation. In addition to his 13 years at Pace, Mike served as the GM at Mich.'s Ann Arbor Transportation Authority where he took great pride that his team brought the first low-floor buses to the U.S.

He also served as GM for transit systems in Davenport, Iowa and Austin, Texas; as the program director of the Transit Operations Group at North Carolina State University’s Institute for Transportation, Research, and Education; as a  principal with Multisystems Inc.; and as VP, business improvement, at ATC/NEC (now Veolia Transit).

Beginning with a part-time job as a CTA bus operator along Archer Avenue and his days at the Regional Transportation Authority in its formative years, Bolton lived his life in service to others, according to an agency statement. He was a valued member of many American Public Transportation Association (APTA) committees and traveled extensively across the globe on behalf of transit in this country. His leadership and innovative spirit has left a lasting impression on the transit industry, the agency said.

Plans for a celebration of Bolton's life will be made later in the year. His obituary can be found here.