Bulent T. "Turk" Dolu

Bulent Dolu Obituary

Bulent T. "Turk" Dolu of Wallkill, a Trailer Jockey for Yellow Freight, and a 25-year resident of the area, died Thursday, September 20, 2007 in Newburgh. He was 56.

The son of Sevket and Nazire Dolu, he was born January 4, 1951 in Trabzon, Turkey.

He taught elementary school in Turkey and was a veteran of the Turkish Army.

Survivors include his wife Gail Manzo Dolu at home; sons Christopher T. Dolu of Clearwater, Fla. and David S. Dolu at home; daughter Tamara Eason of Modena; brother Kamil Dolu of Turkey; mother-in-law Doris Manzo of Wallkill; brother-in-law Bill Manzo and his wife Deborah of Wallkill; nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by daughter Jessica N. Dolu on July 29, 2006 and father-in-law William Manzo.

Graveside services will be Monday, September 24 at 11 a.m. at Bruynswick Rural Cemetery. Pastor Ryan Clark will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church,2520 State Rte. 208, Walden, NY 12586.

Arrangements were made by Wallkill Funeral Home.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Times Herald-Record on Sep. 22, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Bulent Dolu

11 Entries

John Watts

September 21, 2021

You have not been forgotten, Bulent, even though it has been 14 years since you left this physical world, my brother. I often think of you and the fun we had over the years we raised our families together. It seems so long ago, but it really wasn't. I have not had a friend so close since you were gone that I referred to him as my brother. I know we will see each other again one day. I am sure of it. But I still miss our conversations, our trips to the junkyard, and our drives around the region. Those were certainly great and glorious days, weren't they? Remembering you always!

John Watts

November 10, 2019

I have not forgotten you, Brother!

Richie & Ellen Vandemark

September 24, 2007

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

John & Deborah Watts

September 24, 2007

Today, my brother is buried. We were not related by blood, but we shared common goals, thoughts and ideas. I met Bulent back in March 1983 while we were casual dockworkers at Yellow Freight in Maybrook. We most assuredly had been looking for work at the same time and made our 30 days probation within hours of each other because his number was E-68 and mine was E-70. We became friends and began to learn that we had children the same age and shared similar interests. Our families went on many picnics and outings. My memories of my friend – my brother – or Bulent Abba as he was called by anyone very close to him are many. Bulent had a boat – which in and of itself was nothing even close to a yacht – with which we spent many hours working on during our days off. We would motor onto the Hudson River or the lakes of Sullivan County with of our wives and children in tow for a day of fun. To us, this boat was our yacht as we motored as fast as we could across the lake all the while thinking to ourselves that no one else on the lake was faster. The kids would scream “faster! faster!” and all of us adults - Gail, Debbie, Bulent and myself - would all be thinking the same, but wondering if we were too mature to yell like the children did. On one particular day, while we were in the middle of one of the many lakes we played upon, the boat sputtered to a stop. Bulent and I saw the disappointment on the faces of the children and we talked quietly between us and decided that the day could not end in such a way. We both jumped into the water and grabbed onto the ropes attached to the boat and swam the boat toward the shore. During the following four hours, Bulent and I swam through the water playing and laughing with the kids while we pulled the boat toward the banks of the lake. We reached the shore and split a large watermelon and we all feasted upon the fruit with red-faced smiles and laughter filling the summer air. We went boating every chance we could and left our troubles behind and made great summer memories together. We worked hard for our money and played just as hard in those days. We were young, strong and invincible. Yellow Freight was a good job for us and we knew it. Even though dock work was not easy, we still made the best of it. We had to because our families depended upon us to make ends meet. And we did just that! We rewarded ourselves on our Friday night after a weeks’ work and stopped out at a place called The Country Cabin on Route 52, halfway between Pine Bush and Ellenville. We would eat hamburgers, hoist a few cold ones together along with other dockworkers and assorted patrons and play pool, tell stories and chide each other for an hour or two before heading home for our weekend. It was life as we knew it, and life was good! Bulent was rather quick in diagnosing everyone’s car problems and had frequent visitors with such requests. He would help the individual without question and put his labors to work at no charge and never complained, even though he knew that the only time he would see one or two of these people would be the next time they required help. Bulent and I used to work on our cars together throughout all of the seasons while our kids ran around, rode bikes and played army and tag. I remember how we still worked on our cars despite the rather cold – and often wet and snowy weather. We would drink hot tea by the gallon made by Gail and Deborah and we would brave the elements. The cold did not really bother us as we were seasoned and strong dock workers who were used to meaner circumstances and we withstood eight hours a day of snow, wind and cold throughout the winter and just the opposite circumstances during the summer. While Gail and Deborah cooked dinner for the “army” during those days, I learned of the beauty and culture of Turkey.
We would sit at the dinner table and eat kefta kebobs – a wonderfully spicy Turkish meat recipe, hot dogs, steak, french fries and more until we were ready to burst!
Bulent would then break out with some Püf böregi / "puff" börek: little triangular pillows of pastry filled with white cheese and chopped parsley, then deep-fried or some Baklava pastry which consisted of layers of phyllo filled with nuts and spices and drenched in sweet, sticky syrup. It never lasted long and he could never make enough to satisfy our desires for these delicious and aromatic treats. Bulent, Gail and the kids used to come to our house and we would prepare a feast there as well, while the kids played for hours and then would finish up with a campfire out in the yard. We would tell jokes and lies to get a laugh and sometimes the stories were made so believable, we would begin to think they were true ourselves! Every time we were together, memories were made, though we did not know it at the time. Each year, we would grow vegetable gardens and have a contest for the biggest and tastiest tomatoes produced. Even Bulent’s father-in-law Bill would get involved in the contest. He would listen to our tall stories and just shake his head in amusement all the while probably thinking how crazy the two of us were. We would bring our biggest fruits together and would never get to compare them because they were always quickly cut-up for burgers or salads by our wonderful brides. This would not stop us from playfully arguing for hours as to who had the largest and juiciest of tomatoes or the cucumbers with the least amount of seeds. It was a game that went on year after year, but we just enjoyed growing the gardens and eating the produce for no other reason other than we were just plain good at it. The two of us would jump in the car when we got the chance and just ride throughout Ulster and Orange Counties. We would ride around the Shawangunks and talk about our hopes and dreams, our wives, children and life in general. We would visit his friends at the Mountain Store outside of New Paltz on Route 299 and have coffee and buttered rolls and talk about the news of the day. After we drove around some more, we would head to his friend’s Turkish Restaurant in New Paltz on occasion to share a meal. When we couldn’t get away, Bulent and I would sit and talk for hours and I would listen as he told me stories of his childhood and of the beauty of Turkey. He would listen just as intently as I talked of my own stories and childhood. I was particularly enthralled by the thoughts and stories of Turkey and always wanted to know more. I would sometimes find myself daydreaming about it when I was unloading or loading a trailer at work. We even vowed to take a trip there together one day and made plans to do just that; but knowing we had families to support, we knew inside that we really couldn’t, but we never said it aloud. I remember how Bulent used to teach me Turkish and how he encouraged me even though I was terrible at it. Bulent was also a wonderful father and loved his children as deeply as a father should. I could see that Chris, David and Jessica loved their dad very much. Even when his children thought he was being hard on them, he would tell me that he had to make sure the children “…grew up right and strong…” Only another father understands those words. And only when the child becomes the parent, do the eyes open fully. I moved away from New York a few years ago, but still kept in touch by phone and e-mail. Every time I went to New York for any reason, I made sure to visit Bulent and Gail. I recently made a trip back home and drove by Bulent’s house, but he was not home. As I made my way back to Pine bush, I saw him at a store and walked up behind him and stood there. When he turned around and saw me, Bulent’s eyes grew as big as dinner plates and we acted like two brothers who had not seen each other in a dog’s age! We went back to his house and – of course – shared a delicious meal cooked by Gail’s mother Doris. It was like old times and life was, of course, good again! That was the last time I saw my brother Bulent. Bulent and Gail tragically lost their lovely daughter Jessica last July and we all continue to feel this loss. Earlier this month, Gail’s father passed away and Bulent as well on the 20th. All of these people have influenced my life greatly and I miss them. I will always remember Bulent’s good outlook on life, his laughter and his kindness. I will miss our conversations, our rides, the sharing of hot tea and our breaking of bread together. Most of all, I will miss his deeply valued friendship. And I still remember some Turkish words and phrases that he taught me to this day. Bulent is a man with a good soul. Even though he is gone from the physical world, he lives on in his children and in Gail’s heart. I can even hear his voice now as I write this; and this assures me our friendship lives on in me and in everyone else who knew him. I will always remember Bulent. Rest well, Bulent Abba. Today, my brother is buried.

Milt & Barb Rowley

September 22, 2007

Barbara and I are very sad for your families loss. He was a great friend of mine from the time we met. That was about 28 years ago. We will miss him dearly. Till we meet again, BULENT. {TURK). God Bless. Sadly, Milt & Barb

September 22, 2007

I am so sorry for your loss. Turk will be dearly missed.

Kim & Chris Mann

mindy erden

September 22, 2007

there are not enough words to describe how i feel right now. i am truely sorry for you lost i love all you guys if you need anything just let me know

ruth spencer

September 22, 2007

I worked with Turk at Yellow Freight. I had the job of assigning the moves to the jockeys for a few years, and Turk worked "for" me. He was such a friendly, happy, and pleasant man, whose warmth and good mood were a ray of sunshine. He was also an incredibly hard-worker, and he was so loyal, there was nothing that you could ask of him that he wouldn't do for you. We quickly became friends, and I appreciated him so much. Once when he went back to Turkey for a visit, he brought me back a decorative plate as a souvenir, and that plate hangs in my kitchen to this day. I am so sorry for your family's loss--it is indeed all our loss. In my way, I loved him as a dear friend. I am deeply saddened to learn of his passing! My prayers go out to his family and loved ones for comfort and peace. With deepest sympathy, -Ruth Spencer

Kristen Cummiskey

September 22, 2007

Gail,
I am so sorry for your loss. If you need ANYTHING, please let me know. All our love,
Kristen and Ed

Tim Zielinski

September 22, 2007

Gail and family,
I'm very sorry to hear about Turk. He was a good friend to me. You and your family are in my prayers.

patricia tuna

September 22, 2007

i am so very sorry for your loss. he was a good guy, tiff said he was cool. may god bless you all

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