The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-09-19
Watervie Church Celebrates 61st Anniversary Sunday
ThomasF F. BOIger
Old Out East Mourns Death of Sterling Resident High
 Iy Esteemed.
BY THE oUT-EAsTER

OA0 JUL Ak6SS CEk kt4AlAy UUUkUD the death of Thomas F. BOIger of 695 East Main St., whose funeral took place on Friday morning to the church he always attended since his bOyhOod days, the Church of the Sacred Heart.
 Tom Bclger was 8 real "Out Easter" Not that he was born out here, but he was moved from his birthplace on the old. Abrigador to the newly established home on old Dublin St. during the early days of his childhood.
 We had known him for a great many years we had personal con- tact with the man; we observed him; we studied him; we talked with him; we discussed questions of the day with him, and it got so, from our efforts during these many years, to deduce the various types we have had contact with, we were able to form a view and opinion of Thomas F. BOlger. And we are free to say, in our estima- tiOn, no finer type of the human individual ever graced the terri tOriaI limits of what we out here term, "The East End" It was Longfellow, we think, who said, "Ah, how good it feels; the hand of an old friend" And how good 1t was for the former Out-easter, living out of town, or in another part of the city, to greet Tom BoIger on his return to the dis trict he once knew so we'll For Tom BOlger'S shake was "the hand of an old friend" Tom loved his friends; he thought of old friends; he watched them, as best he could, travel through life and hoped for success for them. He wanted them to succeed and felt personal pride in their achievements.
 Like so many of us out here, Tom Bolger worked the greater part of his life in a factory. That was the only place for us to go years ago, and 1t now appears in many instances, to be the same with the young man or boy of today. We were employed in the school vacation, and after we had reached the eighth grade of the primary school off we went to the hum-drum work of the fac- tory. And none of us ever got very far, either. Our own work was mostly at the buff wheel of the Spoon Shop or up at Mat thews and Willards.
 Tom Bolger went into ScOvilPs as 8 young man. He was em- pIOyed there year after year, or until he. was associated himself with the grocery business for a few years. Most dutiful to his employers, Tom lost little time. He was ''bOss" or foreman, and every man under him liked him, as did other shop employees in and about the departments where he was employed. This was ate tested when all of the factory hands of his bureau visited the BOlger home on Thursday eve- ming.
 For years MT. BoIger met some friends at the fire stations out this way, the one now located on East Main St., near Orange St., and the one located near the Southmayd road. His presence was always desired by the officers in command of both stations. Old Engine 5, however, was dear est to his heart. He was there the first night when they moved in to replace the Gallant Brass Citys, the famous old-time volun- teers. That was back in 1913. The dismissal of the old volunteers nearly caused 3 serious clash be- tween the Republican adminis- tration and the residents out here. But it blew over after awhile, and the permanent fire men have been with us ever since.
 We have always felt that Tom Bolger was model husband and father, an outstanding citizen, q devout and Christian gentle man, clean talker, and a good friend.
 What more can be expected of any individual?
 Old friends gathered at the funeral ceremonies, held in the church where he learned his cat- echism, and it made us all feel pleased and happy to see g par ish native celebrant of the sol- emn mass, the Rev. John Me Grath of Thomaston. Tom Bolger had seen the young Father Mc- Grath ordained to the priesthood, and had followed" him since in all of his appointments. Just like all of the McGraths, Father Me Grath never forgets an East Ender.