John Bolchoz Obituary

John Robert Bolchoz, Sr. Charleston - John Robert Bolchoz, Sr., widower of Maureen Calder Bolchoz, passed away in Jupiter, FL, upon completion of his earthly mission on July 5, 2022. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. The Rite of Committal will follow at St. Lawrence Cemetery, Huguenin Ave. The family will receive friends between 5:00 and 7:00 PM, Monday at the James A. McAlister Funeral Home, 1620 Savannah Hwy. John was born on October 3, 1933, the youngest son of Frederick William Bolchoz, Sr. and Elizabeth Agnes Manning. He was a graduate of Bishop England High School and Baptist College (now Charleston Southern University) in Charleston. He also studied for three years in Catholic seminaries throughout the Northeast before serving in the U.S. Army in Europe during the Cold War with the Third Armored Division under NATO Command. After an honorable discharge he began work with Westvaco Corporation in 1957, retiring after 36 years as a Production Coordinator. He was a charter member of the Reverend Monsignor John L. Manning Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Aside from his work, John spent most of his time with his wife, Maureen, shepherding their six children through an abundance of school and sports activities across the span of four decades. Over the last 30 years, John relished seeing his children go on to raise large families of their own, blessing him with another 24 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. John was a devoted fan of old Hollywood movies and TV, in particular his beloved Westerns, which he viewed from an extensive personal library. As those who knew him can attest, John's other passion was old Charleston. As a true Charleston original, he had an uncanny ability to recall the names of the people and places that characterized the peninsula dating to the first half of the 20th century, particularly as seen through the eyes of a child growing up across the street from St. Patrick's schoolyard. One of his favorite pastimes was "taking a ride" down King Street and throughout downtown Charleston, reminiscing and telling stories. Those times will be sorely missed by the family. John was predeceased by his wife of 38 years, Maureen Calder Bolchoz, who passed away in 1999. He leaves behind one daughter, Patricia Bolchoz Reese (Brian) and five sons: John Robert, Jr. (Cheryl), Michael Calder (Theresa), Mark Daniel (Ashley), Brian Joseph (Laura), and William Henry (Cari); 24 grandchildren: Morgan (Chris), John, Angela, Paul, Michael (Bri), Amanda (Alec), Edward, Maureen (Josh), Brynn, Patrick, Emily (Nick), Mark (Ariana), Elizabeth (Ross), Vincent, Manning, Joseph, Emma, Olivia, Ava, Lawrence, Sophia, Henry, Clark, and Stella; and 11 great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister, Mary B. Harrell (Allen). Flowers will be accepted, or memorials made to the Monsignor John L. Manning Scholarship Fund at Bishop England High School or to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Arrangements by JAMES A. MCALISTER, Inc., (843) 766-1365. Visit our guestbook at legacy.com/obituaries/charleston