CASPER – Harold Bolger, 82, passed peacefully from this world surrounded by his loving family on April 23, 2017. at Mountain Plaza Assisted Living Center. Honoring Harold’s final wishes and in consideration of daughter Tracy’s fragile health, a private family funeral service is planned on April 29.
Harold was born in Torrington in 1934 to Gottlieb J. and Emma L. R. Bolger. While growing up in Torrington, a strong work ethic was instilled in Harold from age 5. Some of his various jobs included picking fruit, thinning & blocking sugar beets, working as a bell hop for tips at Trail Hotel, running the bread wrapping machine at Wig-Wam Bakery, working as a printer’s devil at Torrington Telegram, rebuilding Yoder Grain and Lumber, and working as a stock boy and carry-out at O.P. Scaggs.
Harold graduated from Torrington High School and was offered several college basketball scholarships. Instead he chose to marry his high school sweetheart, Donna F. Anderson, and pursue his professional career. As an adult, he worked as Assistant Store Manager at Amberg’s Men’s Wear, Assistant Town Clerk, and at the Torrington office of the Wyoming Employment Security Commission. Harold was then promoted and moved his family to Casper. He continued to work his way up the ladder at the ESC and was later asked to serve as Special Assistant to the Regional Unemployment Insurance Administrator in Boston, Mass., for the U.S. Department of Labor for one year. At the end of one year, Harold returned to the Employment Security Commission in Casper and retired as the Unemployment Insurance Director of Wyoming at the age of 52 in 1986 after 29 years of service.
In the mid 1980s after retirement from the State of Wyoming, he turned his passion for fly-fishing into a lucrative business becoming owner/operator of the Platte River Fly Shop, where he shared many fishing stories with customers and friends. In 1990 Harold sold the fly shop to resume his love of fly-fishing. He was an active member of the Wyoming Flycasters Club and an avid Wyoming Cowboys fan – both football and basketball, but basketball has always been his passion.
Harold and Donna loved all of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren and were especially dedicated to caring for their special needs grandson, Joshua. In 2009, Harold and Donna adopted their beloved toy poodle (Joshie) from a local rescue, and in 2010 after Donna’s passing, Joshie was Harold’s constant companion whom he loved very much.
Harold was preceded in death by his wife Donna; parents Gottlieb and Emma; his four sisters Marjorie Graham, Dorothy Woodard, Caroline Brunz, and Helen Stoeger; an infant brother Carl; his grandson Joshua; numerous brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Harold is survived by his four children, Connie Harvell, Gerry Bolger (Debbie), Mindy Carter, Tracy Hunt (Bill); four grandchildren Trever Bolger (Christina), Trent Bolger (Katrina), Toni Smith (Matt), and Rikki Clark (Mitch); and six great-grandchildren Skyler Nelson, John Serafin, Isaac Smith, Nora Bolger, Kellan Clark, and Everleigh Clark; three brothers-in-law, two sisters-in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be made in Harold’s memory to the Central Wyoming Hospice (319 S. Wilson; 82601) or Mountain Plaza Assisted Living & Memory Care (4154 Talon Drive; 82604). The family wishes to extend their gratitude to both the Central Wyoming Hospice and Mountain Plaza Assisted Living & Memory Care for their love, care, and support in his final days. We also extend our thanks to Kimberli Kolden of Rocky Mountain Therapy for her dedicated, compassionate therapy with Harold.
