Munster Express Online

The death took place unexpectedly on Sunday February 14th of Mr Patrick (Pat) Bolger, Hillside, Upper Grange Waterford. Although he had been unwell for some time his sudden death nevertheless came as a great shock to his wife and family and his many friends.

Aged 74, Pat who came from a family of twelve and was a native of Ballyneale, Tullogher, Co Kilkenny. He spent the majority of his life in Waterford after coming to the city in the early 1950s to work in what was to become a great family business, ‘The Fairview’, Ballybricken, until his retirement a few years ago. During his life Pat, who was of a very quite disposition, had a number of health problems but always recovered and after a major problem in 2003 he again made a great recovery to live a very happy and fruitful life.

He had a marvelous gift with his hands and a brain to match especially with carpentry engineering and mechanics etc and the many items made for his home were a joy to behold. This gift led him into his second great love in life, the restoration of old vehicles where the remains of total old wrecks were restored back to pristine condition with the work carried out painstakingly and to perfection with his son, Pat, as an able assistant.

First and foremost however Pat’s great love was his wife, family and grandchildren, sisters and brothers. In the Vintage Society, which he joined many years ago, he and his wife, Josie, son, Pat, daughter, Joanne, and later the grandchildren, son-in-law and daughter-in-law attended Vintage Rallies all over Ireland displaying his vehicles in which he had such pride and, in the process, making life long friends. A native of County Kilkenny, the Kilkenny People newspaper was a weekly must for him but he also had a great regard for his adopted County Waterford.

His remains were removed from W.R.H. to the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly, on Tuesday, February 16th, where they were received by Rev Fr Gerry Chestnut and a large number of mourners including a Guard of Honour from The Vintage Society. His Requiem Mass was on Wednesday morning Feb 17th was celebrated by Rev Fr Sean Melody, PP, Sacred Heart, assisted by Rev Fr Dan Cavnagh, PP, Rosbercon a friend of the Bolger family. Fr Melody spoke of Pat and his life and times in a very touching homily.

The Readings were given by his nephew and niece, Colum and Caitriona Walsh, the Prayers of the Faithful were recited by his daughter, Joanne, and grandchildren, Pat and Joseph Bolger and James and Katie Stevens. The Offertory gifts were brought up by by Joanne Stevens, Gemma Bolger, Pat and Joseph Bolger and James and Katie Stevens. The soloist was Donna Roche accompanied by Deirdre Atkins. In the Church, his grandchildren James and Katie Stevens remembered Pat with two very moving renditions in music and song and his remains left the church to the strains of the Furey’s ‘Old Man’ and the hearse was preceded to Ballygunner by one of his favourite vintage cars.

The graveside oration was given by Fintan Walsh, brother-in-law of deceased, and he was buried in St Mary’s Cemetery, Ballygunner, in the presence of a large congregation

Pat is survived by his wife Josie, (nee Peters) whose lifetime attention and care to Pat was dedicated and superb; son Pat, daughter Joanne Stevens, grandchildren Pat, Joseph, Dara and Sean Bolger, James and Katie Stevens, son in law Graham Stevens and daughter in law Gemma Bolger, sisters Phil Walsh Waterford and Tess Stephens Kent, nephews and nieces, brothers in law, sisters in law, relatives and friends.