September 3, 2020
It is with heavy hearts, that we announce the peaceful passing of Jerry Bolton, September 03, 2020, at Stanford Place Care Home in Parksville. He was 91 years old. He has gone to join his wife Irene to dance together into eternity. Jerry was predeceased by Irene, brothers Frank, Delmar, Clarence, Nelson, and sister Verna.
He leaves behind to miss him: sister Joyce Holden, children; Lori (Richard) Parsley, Jim (Nonie) Bolton, and Blair Bolton. He will also be missed by his grandchildren; Kristen (Craig) Asselin, Stephanie (Chuck) Saffin, Allison Parsley (Adam), Jason Parsley, Kristi Bolton, Shawn Bolton, and Hanna Bolton.
Lastly, he will be remembered by his 4 great grandchildren; Noel and Zoë Asselin and Cohen and Emmett Bauman. In addition he leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews as well as many friends, especially of note his Rubber Band and square dance friends.
Born in Broomhill MB, Jerry spent his early years in Basswood then Minnedosa, where he began work with the CPR working his way up from call boy to station agent. He married Irene in 1952, and was the father of three children; Lori, Jim, and Blair.
His Manitoba years were spent golfing, curling, and playing and coaching hockey. In 1970 he left the CPR and moved his family to BC eventually settling in Nanaimo where he tried his hand at a various jobs before being hired at the Nanaimo Regional General Hospital in the maintenance department. He retired as a painter in 1991, retiring with Irene to their Shangri-La home in Lantzville, where they enjoyed the beach and his garden.
Always artistic, Jerry took up painting in 1970 and his paintings hold a place of honour in the homes of many friends and family. Jerry loved music and played the violin and mandolin. Both he and Irene enjoyed camping and square dancing where they met many of their life long friends. This led him to joining the Rubber Band, a group that played and held sing alongs at many care homes in the area.
For the past couple of years Jerry has been a resident of Stanford Place Care Home in Parksville, where he was well taken care of. It difficult to say goodbye at the best of times. Doing so during a pandemic is even worse. Jim was able to visit a few times this summer as our designated family visitor. The rest of us must be comforted by our memories of better times.
Due to these strange times, there will be no memorial service but we ask that you take a private minute to honour Jerry's life in your own way. There will be a private family internment when it is safe to do so, at which time his ashes will be combined with those of Irene's. Their remains will be reunited as are their spirits.