Joseph Richard Bolger

Joseph Richard "Dick" Bolger, 96, of Palatine, IL, formerly of Merrick, NY, passed away peacefully at home on Friday, January 30, 2015. Born July 4, 1918, in Martinsburg, PA, to the late Anna (nee Bridenbaugh) and William Harold Bolger, he married the late Kathleen (nee Garis) Bolger of Reading, PA on June 19, 1954. A WWII veteran, he served in the Army Air Corps, stationed in Waycross, GA. He earned a BS in Music Education from Lebanon Valley College in Annville, PA and his Masters in Music Education from Columbia Teachers College, New York, NY. He taught music in public schools in Laurel, DE, and Bellmore and Great Neck, NY. Dick served as organist and choir director for 16 years at St. John's Lutheran Church, Merrick, NY. He moved to Palatine in 2010. Dick is survived by his daughters, Sally (Eugene) Mason of Islip, NY and Kathleen Bolger of Palatine; sister, Virginia Smith of Richfield, OH; and grandchildren, Travis and Stacie Mason of Islip. He was preceded in death by his wife, parents, and brother, William Bolger. The funeral was held Monday, February 2, at St. Paul United Church of Christ, Barrington, IL. The burial will be Thursday, February 5, at 2 p.m. in Charles Evans Cemetery. Memorials in Dick's name may be made to Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind Inc., 371 East Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787-2976, or St. John's Lutheran Church, 1 Van Roo Avenue, Merrick, NY 11566, appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.davenportfamily.com, or call 847-381-3411, for information. Edward J. Kuhn Funeral Home, Inc., West Reading is in charge of local arrangements.