In Memory of

Edward

Joseph

Bolles

Jr.

Obituary for Edward Joseph Bolles Jr.

Edward Joseph Bolles Jr., 86, of Ellington, loving husband for 63 years of the late Carmel Breton Bolles, passed away Saturday August 5, 2017, at home. Edward was born in Hartford Connecticut, January 25, 1931, the son of the late Edward Joseph Bolles and Noreen Healy Bolles. Ed was a Corporal in the Army and served in the Korean War. After returning from Korea he married the love of his life, Carmel Breton. Ed was a hard working self-made man. He worked as an excavating engineer on the Constitution Plaza in Hartford and many other well known buildings in the Hartford area. He and his wife bought their first home in South Windsor in 1950, but the dream of owning a farm house and animals kept driving him to look more rural. They eventually came upon a dilapidated farm house in Ellington. They spent countless hours and years turning that home and property into their dream house for their four children. Ed went to night school to become an electrician and worked twenty years as a foreman on many buildings near and far. Ed had a passion for life and competition, often with his family involved. The family raised numerous breeds of animals and he supported his children who raised and showed beef cattle, pigs and sheep in local 4-H fairs and at the BIG-E. Ed and Carmel raised Black Labrador Retrievers and owned Ellington Kennels for many years. Ed competed in field trials with his beloved champion lab Duchess. Life was good, but in 1976 the climate of building and the electrical field changed dramatically. Ed began working on local farm machinery to make ends meet. He enlisted his son-in-law Ron, his sons Brian and Thomas, daughters Doreen and Darlene and his wife Carmel to work in their backyard auto and farm repair business. Eventually Mr. Bolles became a respected business owner of Ed Bolles Enterprise, Ellington Mobil, Somers Mobil, Bolles Motors of Ellington, Bolles Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Stafford and Kar Kare Carstar of Ellington. Ed was a proud family man, and everything in his life revolved around his family, his country and business. When Ed began to slow down he took up golf and enjoyed playing with friends and family. Ed loved his place in Palm City Florida where he enjoyed 30 years of wintering with his wife Carmel. They traveled and took many cruises with friends from Florida. NASCAR was his true passion and the #76 racing team was everything to him over the past 40 years. Ed’s sons competed in the Sportsman and Modified Divisions and the Busch North Tour. His son Brian was his first driver and then his younger son Thomas took over the wheel, currently in the SK Division at Stafford Motor Speedway. He also enjoyed their place in RI at the Dunes Park in Weekapaug, where many friends were made and good times were had. He enjoyed his fishing boat and belonging to the Westerly Yacht Club. In his younger years Ed played semi-pro football. He loved the NY Giants and football was a big deal in the Bolles household. Ed was a communicant of Saint Lukes Church in Ellington for 54 years. Ed was a very generous man and helped out so many local charities and causes over the years. His Motto was “Never ever give up”. He was a great advisor and teacher to all who new him. He is survived by his four loving children. He leaves two sons and two daughters and their spouses. Brian and Joann Bolles of Tolland, Doreen and Ron Midford of Tolland. Thomas Bolles and Sandra Hollis of Ellington, Darlene Russell and her fiancé Paul of Ellington and a deceased infant child Edward J Bolles III. Ed’s loving grandchildren Daniel Bolles of Tolland, Sara Wolferseder of Austin Texas, Ron Midford Jr. and Renee of Ellington, Steven Midford and Emily of Ellington and Troy Russell of Ellington. The greatest loves of Ed’s life were his Great Grand Babies, Amelia Wolferseder, Ryan Midford, Jordyn Midford, Makayla Midford, and Callie Midford. Edward leaves his sister Elizabeth Ann Hall of Florida and brother Ronald Bolles and Madelyn of CT. He was predeceased by his brother Gene Bolles and is survived by Gene’s widow Loretta of Ct. Edward also leaves numerous nieces and nephews that he dearly loved. The Bolles family would like to especially thank the kind compassionate caregivers over the past several years, Emily, Regina, Betty, Bre, Mary, Stacy, and Daniel. A special thanks to The VNA Hospice team of Vernon. By the request of the family Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to; Project Walk- Boston, 20 Portsmouth Ave. Stratham, NH 03885, Visiting Nurse and Health Services of CT. Hospice, 8 Keynote Dr. Vernon, CT. 06066. For online condolences please visit www.pietrasfuneralhome.com.