ZEPHYRHILLS, FL: Joseph Bolivard, 93, of Forestville and Zephyrhills, FL passed away Monday, May 29th, 2023 at his residence. He was born in Alliance, OH on November 26, 1929, the son of the late Joseph (Johan Poldervaart) and Hattie N. (Bemis) Bolivard Pieti.
He was a graduate of Dunkirk High School, Class of 1947 and served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Midway. Joe worked as a Postal Clerk for the Silver Creek Post Office, for 12 years, retiring in 1990.
He also opened his own Barbershop in Forestville on Nov. 19, 1949 and barbered for 75 years. Joe served as a Constable & Patrolman for the Town of Hanover and also Police Chief and Bingo Inspector for the former Village of Forestville.
He also was a notary public, legal process sewer, licensed real estate agent, photographer for a local daily newspaper and local attorney, repaired cemetery monuments and doused for locating existing graves, owned the former Country Store, Country Store Upholstery, Joe’s Sign Printing and the Tavern on the Mall in Forestville. He was a former member of St. Peter’s Christian Church, Forestville. Joe and his partner owned four apartment buildings, he built a life sized windmill at his home on Lodi Street, Forestville. Joe was a Chautauqua County Legislator for three terms, a Civil War re-enactor for 62 years, and wrote, produced & starred in his own play “The Family Election.”
Survivors include his wife Wilma L. (Polisoto) Bolivard of Forestville and Zephyrhills, FL, whom he married Sept. 4, 1971, three daughters, Sandy (Carter) Hall, Janine (Dean) Salzman, Kimberly (Timothy) Murphy, step children; Mark (Shelly) Odebralski, Kathy Marsh, and Bill Odebralski. Also surviving are grandchildren, great grandchildren a great-great grandchild and several nieces & nephews. Besides his parents he was predeceased by a son Joe Bolivard.
A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, July 9, 2023 at 11 o’clock from J. Carter Knapp American Legion, Cedar Street, Forestville. The family suggests memorials may be made to Forestville Fire Department, Inc., PO Box 299, Forestville, NY 14062.
Arrangements are by Riles & Woolley Funeral Home, Forestville. To post condolences or memories go to www.rilesandwoolleyfuneralhome.com.
2 Comments
Cristie Herbst
Joe was a legislator when I covered Chautauqua County government as a reporter for The Post-Journal in the 1970s. Joe, in particular, has stood out in my memory all these years as being kind, honest and a gentleman. He always had time to talk with me and to explain things so that my reporting was accurate and more complete. I remember Joe’s sense of humor too, and one particular budget meeting in Mayville that started in the afternoon and was still going late at night. The image I have in my mind is of Joe good naturedly tossing apples to other legislators in the chambers as the debate went on and on. What an all-around great guy and what full and good life he lived. I am fortunate to have known him. My sympathies to his family.
William Ferneza
Our condolences to your family. Paula and William Ferneza.