Raymond S. Bolek

Raymond Stanley Bolek, 78, died at home on Friday, July 3, 2020 surrounded by his loving family. Born in Ludlow on July 15, 1941, he was the son of the late Walter and Sophie (Swiatek) Bolek. A lifelong resident of Wilbraham, he attended the Immaculate Conception School in Indian Orchard and graduated from Springfield Technical High School and Western New England College. He began his employment as a delivery boy for Chmura’s Bakery, and later worked as a barber with his father in Walt’s Barber Shop in Wilbraham. He also worked as a project manager for Jahn Foundry and Pre-Design Building Systems, as a Purchasing Agent at Crane Company in Indian Orchard and in the millwork department at Home Depot.

 Ray was a lifelong communicant of Immaculate Conception Church (ICC) in Indian Orchard. He served as the Chairman of the ICC Polish Festival Dozynki for 20 years and also on the Parish Council, Finance Committee and served as President of the Holy Name Society. He was instrumental in founding the ICC Sports Association and coached boys little league and girls softball. Ray was a member of the 100 Club and an honorary member of the Polish American Veterans Club. Over the course of his lifetime he enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, golf and was active in the Ludlow Senior Center teaching photography classes and received many awards for Billiards in the Mass. Senior Games. He will be remembered as friend to all.

Ray married his childhood sweet heart, Barbara “Sandy” (Bobowiec) Bolek and they celebrated 58 years of marriage on June 23, 2020. In addition to Sandy, Ray is survived by his children, Christopher Bolek, Viktoria Bolek and companion Ronald Sidgreaves, Kellie Lavoie and husband Aaron, Nicole Chartier and companion David Stepanian, his grandchildren, Aleksandr, Maxwell and Nickolas Godlew, Jon-Luc and Alexis Lavoie and Jesse and Jakub Chartier; his sister, Mary Ann Gibson and her husband Andrew; his niece and God-child, Marci Nedeau and many cousins, other family members and friends. During his illness, he greatly enjoyed visits from his childhood friend Harry Setian. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother John “Jack” Bolek. Ray will be remembered affectionately as a loving husband, father, and Dziadziu.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 with a walk through visitation from 9:00-11:00 a.m. at Nowak Funeral & Cremation Services, 15 Ludlow Ave., Springfield. (Guests are required to adhere to state guidelines requiring no contact, social distancing, and wearing face masks.) A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker St., Indian Orchard. Family and friends who would like to attend the funeral mass are asked to assemble at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will then follow at St. Aloysius Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Immaculate Conception Church, 25 Parker St., Indian Orchard MA 01151 or Shriner’s Hospital for Children, 516 Carew St., Springfield MA 01104. To express online condolences, visit www.nowakfuneral.com.

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