Obituary of Thomas W. Bollivar

Thomas W. Bollivar 82, Conquerall Mills, died August 20, 2012 at home. Born in Worcester, Mass. USA on March 4, 1930, he was the son of Thomas and Grace Bollivar. They moved to Nova Scotia when he was 1 ½ years old. He attended Conquerall Mills Public School to grade 10, then Bridgewater High School until graduation, receiving honours and an IODE scholarship. He then attended Maritime Business College. He worked at Irving Oil in Halifax after which he attended Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania, USA, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in the classics. After a summer of working in the service industry, he attended Waterloo Lutheran Theological Seminary from 1952-1955. In the summers he worked as a waiter and host, and as an organizer for the church. From 1955-1956 he attended Acadia University, graduating with a Bachelor of Education He attended French summer school in Quebec that summer, and after returning home, walked from home to home doing census work. He began his teaching career in 1956, and taught on and off from then until his retirement in 1983, teaching students in Oxford, Dartmouth and for 23 years at Petite Riviere. He was a lifelong member of Ascension Lutheran Church, Conquerall Mills, working with the Sunday Church School as superintendant, and also Treasurer and Organist. Junior (as he was affectionately known) was a man of the arts. After his parents passed away, his days were filled with classical music, reading, learning new big words from the dictionary, and following the activities of his beloved grand-nephew and grand-niece. Although not a gardener, he loved beautiful shrubs and flowers, purchasing many to be placed around his house and his nephew’s farm. In his last years he was attended by many caregivers, whom the family would like to thank for their thorough and gentle care, always putting their client first. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Tanner, Conquerall Mills, nephew Gregory (Valerie) Tanner, Conquerall Mills, and his grand-nephew and grand-niece Arthur and Evelyn Tanner, Conquerall Mills. He was predeceased by his parents, Thomas and Grace Bollivar. Visitation will be from 7-9pm on Thursday August 23 in Sweeny’s Funeral Home, Bridgewater. Funeral service will be held at 2:00pm Friday at Ascension Lutheran Church Conquerall Mills, Pastor Catharine House officiating. Burial will be in Ascension Lutheran church cemetery, Conquerall Mills. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ascension Lutheran Church or Canadian Lutheran World Relief or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sweenysfuneralhome.com.