Fairlee, Vt. —
Newt was born in Barre Town June 19, 1927 to Earl W. Bolles and Eleanor (Meaker) Bolles. He attended Barre Town school on Trow Hill for eight years and Spaulding High School for two years.
He was married to Shirley H. Barnes on Sept. 11, 1948, and she predeceased him on April 1996. He later married Leeane Stocking on Sept. 4, 1999, and she predeceased him on April 8, 2014.
Newt started working at the age of 16 for Perry Auto Company of Barre City, Vt. (1943-1945). At the age of 18 he entered the Army and served from 1945-1947. He returned to the Perry Auto Company until 1960. He then moved his family to Fairlee and began working for Hayward Transportation of Fairlee until 1981. He then went on to work for Kelton Motor’s Dairy Bros. Milk Co. in Bradford for six months then in 1982 for Kelton Motors in White River Jct, Vt. until 1989. After retiring at the age of 62 he continued to work at Bolles Garage in Fairlee part-time alongside his son, Steven M. Bolles.
Newt was in the Fairlee Fire Department for 26 years and four years (1970-1974) as Fire Chief. He was instrumental in repairing the Model T fire truck to running shape of which he took to many parades for 50 years. He was a Representative from Orange County for the Vermont State Firefighters Association and Mutual Aid for many years, served as Forest Fire Warden for five years, a member of the American Legion Post 26 for 20 years, served as Selectman for three years (1980-1983), and was a member of Cobble Hill Grange #453 for over 55 years. He was a devoted member of the Fairlee Community Church of Christ since the early 60’s.
Newt enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, gardening, repairing trucks, his grandchildren and attending senior meals and community events where he could enjoy the company of his many friends. He enjoyed attending church and church functions. After retiring he enjoyed spending winters in Florida. Newt was an excellent teacher of many skills and fondly remembered as the “gum man” for sharing his Chiclets gum with many children.
Along with his two wives, Newt was also predeceased by a son, Douglas Bolles on Oct. 12, 1988, a brother Roy Bolles, and a sister-in-law, Louise Barnes. He is survived by three brothers, Lee, Winn, and Franky and two sisters, Marion and Eleanor and their families; as well as a special brother-in-law, Robert Barnes. He is also survived by his son, Steven M. Bolles and wife, Shirley of West Newbury, Vt.; as well as grandchildren, Jason, Steven, Melinda, Keith, Barb, Missy, Doug and their families. He is survived by three stepsons, Steven, Chris, and Jeffrey and two stepdaughters, Dawn and Holly and their families. He is also survived by several great grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of his life will be held Friday, Sept. 23 at 11 a.m. at the Fairlee Community Church of Christ, 55 Town Common Road in Fairlee with a graveside service on Sunday, Sept. 25 at 2 p.m. at Cutlass Cemetery in Montpelier, Vt.
Hales funeral home of Bradford, Vt. is in charge of the arrangements.
To view an online guestbook go to www.halefuneralhomes.com.