Peter Bolcis, 90, 1987 Veteran Of The Year

Mr. Bolcis was born in Middletown, Ohio on August 20, 1916 and had been a resident of Lorain since his childhood. He was a 1935 graduate of Clearview High School.

He was a veteran of the United States Navy where he served as a Motor Machinist’s Mate 3rd Class aboard the submarine U.S.S. Bang during World War II. He also served in the same capacity aboard the sea-going tug boat U.S.S. Yancey during the Korean Conflict. He was the recipient of the World War II Victory Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, the American Area Medal, as well as the Korean Service Medal and the United Nations Medal.

Pete was employed as a pipe-fitter at the Lorain-Cuyahoga Works of the United States Steel Corporation in Lorain. He retired in 1978 following forty-two years of service with the steel producer.

Mr. Bolcis was an active member of Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lorain and had served as President of the Church Council since 1955. He was also the Chairman of the government surplus food cupboard at the church for more than ten years and had served on the Board of Directors of the Lorain Free Clinic since 1986.

Mr. Bolcis was probably most well known for his work in local veterans’ organizations. He was a life member of Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans where he was Chairman of the Executive Committee as well as Co-chairman of the bingo committee. He was also a regular member of the post’s military honor guard and had served as its Chaplain since 1988.

He was also a life member of Amvets Post # 47 of Lorain, a life member of Mullen-Murray Post # 451 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and an annual member of American Legion Post # 30. He was also a member of U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II, as well as A.A.R.P. Chapter # 3318, and the United Steelworkers Local 1104.

Pete was a member and past president of the Lorain Veterans’ Council as well as a member of that organization’s selection committee. He was also recognized as Lorain Veteran of the Year in 1987.

In spite of declining health, he remained an active volunteer in placing flags on the graves of deceased veterans at local cemeteries during Memorial Day and was a regular participant in the annual memorial days services conducted at Ridge Hill Memorial Park in Amherst Township.

He formerly served as parade marshall for both the Memorial Day parade as well as the International Festival Parade.

Survivors include his wife of fifty-three years Dorothy (nee Bobby), a son Duane residing in southern California and sister Mildred Fallis of Lorain.

He was preceded in death by his father John Bolcis in 1966, by his mother Sophia (nee Glos) in 1949, by a sisters Eva Moir and Beatrice Welther, and by a brother John B. Otero in 1987.

Visitation will be Wednesday, September 6, 2006, from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel – 3224 Broadway – Lorain where a memorial service will be conducted by the Lorain Veterans Council at 7:30 p.m. Funeral services will be Thursday at 11:00 a.m. in Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church -3303 Pearl Avenue – Lorain. The Reverend Laurie Miller, pastor of the church will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park with full military honors conducted by the officers and members of Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans.

Family members suggest memorial contributions be made to either Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3303 Pearl Avenue, Lorain, OH 44055 or the Lorain Free Clinic in care of the same address.