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BORN
1920
DIED
2016
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Walter Bolger Obituary
Born: Oct. 9, 1920; in McHenry, IL
Died: Feb. 24, 2016; in McHenry, IL
Walter "Gov" J. Bolger, age 95, of McHenry, passed away February 24, 2016, at his home surrounded by loving family. He was born in McHenry on October 9, 1920, the son of Thomas and Grace (Doherty) Bolger. He married Madeline Freund on July 2, 1966 at St. Mary Church in McHenry.
Walter "Gov" was born and raised on the family farm a couple miles south of McHenry. After attending the country school and graduating from McHenry High School in 1938 he worked one year at the Farmers Mill before returning to operate the family farm in the heart of the Irish Prairie alongside the Fox River until 2010. Gov, with his brothers Tom and Bill formed the McHenry Shamrocks hard ball baseball team. Along with neighbors, Stilling's, Larkins and friends they won the County Championship in 1949. Gov raised and cared for dairy cattle, pigs and chickens on his own with the help of young neighborhood boys. He and his wife Madeline enjoyed a large garden, attending family picnics and special events. Gov belonged to St. Patrick Church all his life. He was an usher, Eucharistic minister and belonged to the Foresters and Knights of Columbus. Gov and Madeline were active participants in AMPI. Gov always had that quick Irish smile for everyone.
He is survived by a son John Bolger; a granddaughter, Sara Bolger; brother, William (Carol) Bolger; sisters, Grace Bolger Stilling, Ann Bolger Miller, Margaret (Richard) Carey, Rita (Raymond) Gaylord; and a sister-in-law, Kathryn Nye Bolger.
He was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, a brother, Thomas; three sisters, Vivian Eastman, Eleanor Sullivan and Mabel Weber; and four brother-in-law's, Richard Eastman, Edwin Sullivan, Richard Weber, George Miller and Harold Stilling, Sr..
Visitation will be Saturday, February 27, 2016, 10am to 11am at St. Patrick's Church 3500 W Washington St., McHenry, IL 60050. The funeral mass will be at 11am. Interment will be in the churchyard cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers, memorial may be made in Walter's name to St. Patrick Church 3500 W. Washington, McHenry Il., 60050 or Journey Care 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, Il., 60010.
For more information, contact funeral home at 815-385-0063 or log onto www.colonialmchenry.com
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Walter Bolger
Sponsored by Colonial Funeral Home & Crematory.
Cathy Bava
March 1, 2016
Oh this makes me sad, he was truly the strongest little guy I ever met. I read his obit a day to late to make his funeral Mass. Mr. Bolger thanks for letting us milk your cows, so we cold enjoy their milk. Kind thoughts and prayers for your soul.
February 29, 2016
May the God of all comfort bring your family peace at this time of deep sorrow.
Gov chopping hay
Tony Pizzuto
February 29, 2016
February 28, 2016
Too this day I still hear you calling the cow's lay'ing in bed. It would be a hot summer night and in the Morn "I would hear"..HEYYYYYYYY BBBBOOOOOSSSSS HHHHHHHHEEEEEEYYYYYBBBBBOOOOOOSSSSS!
Tony Pizzuto
February 26, 2016
Rest in peace my friend. I am going to miss our talks in the driveway and the stories you use to tell me about the old days in McHenry. Our times in the garden pulling weeds in the summer and shoveling snow in the winter. Cynthia and I miss the cows behind the house.
Your probably up there now milking twice a day.
We will miss you.
Bryan Macey
February 26, 2016
I am so sorry for the loss.
Dan Gough
February 26, 2016
Our Loss is heaven gain, will be missed but not forgotten
Neal Schmitt
February 26, 2016
R.I.P., Gov, I loved, working for you and with you, never a dull moment.....
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