Edward S. Bolden, a veteran of the Korean War and longtime resident of West Medford, Massachusetts, passed away at the Edith Nourse Rogers Memorial Veterans' Hospital in Bedford, Massachusetts on January 6, 2024. He was 88.
Edward was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on January 13, 1935, Edward was the cherished son of Gladys M. (Thompson) Bolden and Eugene H. Bolden.
Edward graduated from Rindge Technical High School, now Cambridge Rindge and Latin, in 1952 where he excelled in baseball. Soon after graduation, and while actively being recruited to play in the Negro Leagues, Edward proudly enlisted to serve in the United States Marine Corps at the age of 17.
There, Edward would remain on active duty until 1955, eleven months of which he spent overseas, earning the decorated rank of Sergeant, a Good Conduct Medal, and a National Defense Service Medal.
Edward married his beloved wife, Sylvia G. (Josey) Bolden on January 20, 1964. Together, they raised two daughters and played an instrumental role in raising two grandchildren, whom Edward adored. As an avid sports fan – particularly of the Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics – Edward enjoyed attending and watching sporting events with his grandchildren.
Edward also enjoyed playing basketball and relished in opportunities to share his athletic skills with children in the neighborhood, and he could always be relied on to drive anyone, anywhere and would wait patiently in the car for the ride back – except for those times when he would have Nylah paged over the intercom at the store to remind her that her ride was waiting.
Edward worked as a machinist for Container Corporation for many years cutting jigsaw puzzles. To keep busy after retirement, he took a job with Avis at Logan International Airport driving rental cars back and forth from the airport to the shop.
Edward and his wife took pleasure in hosting card games with their friends, socializing with neighbors at the West Medford Community Center, and their frequent trips to the casinos in Atlantic City.
Edward also enjoyed taking trips to Hanscom Air Force Base and gardening, particularly planting flowers in his well-groomed yard. He also delighted in preparing his famous ham and potato salad for holidays and special events.
Edward was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Sylvia; grandson, Brandon S. Galloway-Bolden; parents and brothers, William J. Bolden and Eugene R. Bolden Sr.
Edward is survived by his children, Edward S. (Bolden) Harris, Teresa A. Shepherd-Bolden, and Anita E. Bolden; grandchildren, Nylah A. Bolden, Keyon S. Hurd, Adrienne D. (Bolden) Harris, Olivia M. (Bolden) Harris, and Evan E. (Bolden) Harris; and sisters, Velmer M. Brooks, Jessie M. Bolden, and Loretta B. Hewitt and her husband, Kenneth, as well as a number of nieces and nephews who loved him dearly.
Visiting hours will be held on Friday, January 19, 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. at Shiloh Baptist Church, 1 Holton St., Medford, Massachusetts.
Edward’s funeral will follow at Shiloh Baptist Church at 12:00 p.m. on Friday.
Interment services, with full military honors, will immediately follow at Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford, Massachusetts