George Bolton, 1938 - 2007
George Bolton, who died on August 20, 2007 was an ideal member of the BLOHARDS
combining, as he did, in equal measures the qualities of benevolence, loyalty, honor and ancientness
along with an abiding passion for the Red Sox. We've gathered a few pictures and recollections of
the man here. If you've got anything else, why not email it to us and we'll add it?
On hearing of George's death, Larry Lucchino, the Red Sox' President and CEO wrote: "My sincere condolences to the friends and
family of one of the “founding fathers” of your great organization. Rest in Peace, George Bolton.
The Sox also arranged for the scoreboard commemoration shown above.
I'm grieved to hear of George Bolton's passing.
My sympathies to his family. I will miss him at our lunches. I imagine that George has already joined up with
Berry and Jim Powers, has already launched into one of his stories, and has already been asked by Jim: "George,
is this a long one?"
Herb Wyman
George (at left) on the Opening Day bus, 1992
At our August lunch, Ray Duffy made sad mention of George's departure in the traditional
"Henry Berry Memorial Slide Show". His remarks follow:
George Bolton 1938-2007
It is with deep sadness that I must inform you of the recent death of one of our own, George Bolton. Like Ted, Yaz, Tony or Pedro this BLOHARD was known to all BLOHARDS by one name: "George". George was not one of the original 8 but he came around shortly after. He was the epitome of a BLOHARD. Like Jim and Henry he loved the Sox but in true BLOHARDS tradition that would never stop him from being irreverent. In fact it was George, not Henry, that Butch Hobson wanted to fight because of his comments about Don Zimmer and Jimy Williams vowed never to return to a BLOHARDS luncheon following George's comments about Dennis Eckersley.
You will be pleased to know that George was George right to the end. When I received a call from Cathy Bolton on August 6th, I already knew George had not been feeling well for a while. Cathy informed me that George had developed edema in the brain and was very sleepy and unresponsive to stimuli. On August 10th George showed some signs of improvement and was able to communicate a bit. When he came around his nephew Chris asked him if he needed anything, George responded with "how about two broads?"
I'm sure that right now George is with Jimmy, Henry, Walter and the other BLOHARDS that have preceded us having their own luncheon. In fact, as fellow BLOHARD Herb Wyman suggested, we can hear Jimmy saying: "George will this be long?"
The Opening Day bus ride will never be the same again. George you will be missed.
George (right) with the ghost of Babe Ruth (center), 2004.
Other people expressing sympathy include
Bob Bartlett:We will really miss this great guy who always spoke what exactly was on his mind.
Frank McKittrick:I loved talking to him at meetings, at Gallagher's, and other distinguished places that
BLOHARDS gathered. I will miss him.
Linda Opyr:May he rest in peace beneath a 2007 series pennant!
Mark Mueller:My prayers to his family and to all of you, too.
and Ed Wachowicz:May God bless him and his family at this time. They say your hell is on earth, but Red Sox fans had a living purgatory between 1919 and 2004. May he rest in peace with the great ones.
