REST IN PEACE MY FRIEND....

BENNINGTON -- Stephen A. Bolesky, 62, a well known and respected history and economics teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School and a former resident of Myers Road Shaftsbury, died Monday, June 18, 2007, at the Crescent Manor Care Center in Bennington following a long illness.He was born in Evansville, Ind., Sept. 20, 1944. He was the son of Andrew J. Bolesky and the late Rita L. (Zeller) Bolesky. Steve received his education in Evansville and was a graduate of Indiana State. He later received a masters degree in history.Steve married Constance Oxley on Nov. 25, 1977, in Woodford.In 1977 Steve began his teaching career at Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington where he taught economics and history. He was the only economics teacher in the history of the school. Steve served as advisor to the chess club which over the years won several state titles. He was also an advisor to the Student Senate and building representative and negotiator for the SWVEA.Steve was an avid hiker and over the last 20 years organized an annual hike up Mount Washington. He climbed all 48 of New Hampshire’s 4,000 foot peaks twice. Being very thorough, he wanted to make sure he hadn’t missed anything. An avid fisherman, Steve also built his own wood-strip canoe and later wrote a book, “Building the Wood-Strip Canoe,” which is in the National Library of Congress. His other interests included the Old West and the Civil War and music ranging from Waylon Jennings to Yo-Yo Ma to Muddy Waters. He enjoyed gardening and loved his cats. A seemingly intelligent man, he inexplicably cheered for all the basketball teams coached by Bobby Knight. He also rooted for the Cincinnati Reds, formerly owned by Marge Schott and her dog Schottsie. Steve was a Chicago Bears fan and on many Sundays could be heard shouting “Da Bears.” He drove a pickup with the license plate “Hoosier” and a sticker on his back window that read “Why Be Normal”. Steve was a gentle man of grace, humor and dignity.Survivors include his father, Andrew J. Bolesky of Evansville, Ind.; an aunt, Catherine Underhill; and three cousins, Beverly Lankford, Linda Tur and David Underhill; along with his many friends, students and colleagues.A memorial service to celebrate the life of Stephen A. Bolesky will be held at the North Shaftsbury Community House on Old Depot Road in Shaftsbury on Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at 6:30 p.m. Given Steve’s fashion sense, casual attire is required. If anyone has any pictures of Steve that they would like to share please bring them to the service. Directions: Go North on Route 7A, Old Depot Road is the first right after The Chocolate Barn. Proceed a short distance to the Community House.If friends desire, contributions in memory of Stephen A. Bolesky may be made to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center through the office of the Mahar & Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.

This man was a teacher of mine in High School. He really meant the world to me. Have you ever had a teacher that made learning fun and exciting? This was him. He was a character. He would dress the part of any character that we learned about. He came to my graduation party. He never had children because all of us were his children.

The past few years he suffered from a brain tumor and last summer he killed his wife and has no memory of doing it. He went to jail and was awaiting trial then he got very sick. They put him a nursing home where he died shortly thereafter.

The whole story and circumstances make me sad and he will be missed terribly.

I am going to miss you my teacher, my mentor, my friend, R.I.P.