William P. Bolash

William P. Bolash, CPA, passed into the arms of his Savior, Jesus Christ, on Monday, May 18, 2026. He was born in the family home on Hess Ave. on January 27, 1940, the son of the late William F. and Helen (Benecki) Bolash.

Bill attended St. Casimir grade school, Cathedral Prep, and East H. S. He proudly served in the U.S. Army after high school. Upon returning home, he enrolled at Gannon College and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in accounting. At Gannon, he was a member of the Pershing Rifles Drill Team and wrote feature articles for the Gannon newspaper. After graduation, Bill worked for Touche, Ross & Co. in Cleveland, OH and Roots, Spitznas & Smiley in Erie, before opening his own CPA practice in 1968. During his professional years, he served as President of the Erie Chapter, PA Institute of Certified Public Accountants and was a member of the PICPA Council, and Associate member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners. He retired from practice in 2000.

Bill was very community minded. He served on the boards of many local organizations both in Erie and in The Villages, FL, where he lived for 19 years. He was a firefighter and an EMT for Kearsarge Volunteer Fire Dept., and a certified Fire Police instructor for the PA State Fire Academy. He was a founding board member for Millcreek Paramedic Service.

Bill was a witness to his faith, having served as Lector and Eucharistic Minister, as well as, other administrative roles in the parishes he belonged to. He made a Cursillo and worked many more. He became President of the Erie Diocese Cursillo Movement and served many years on the Board of Directors. One special memory was a Cursillo that he worked at the Erie County Prison.

Bill enjoyed playing golf, dabbing in photography, and oil painting. He loved to travel, cook, and listen to music. He was an accomplished accordionist, having played his entire life. Above all else, Bill loved his children and grandchildren as much as any Grampy could.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his only sister, Barbara Ann Korn. He is survived by the light and love of his life, Mary Cook Bolash, four children: Marjorie Adamus, Brian Bolash, Stephanie Vieira all of Erie, and Mark Bolash of Raleigh, NC. He is further survived by eight grandchildren: Eric Adamus, Katy Adamus, Isabelle (Grant) Kruszewski, John Vieira, Beatrice Vieira, Mikayla Bolash, Julia Bolash, and Bradley Bolash.

Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday, May 22, 2026 from 3 pm until 7 pm and are invited to St. Jude R.C. Church, 2801 West 6th Street, Erie, PA 16505, on Saturday, May 23, 2026 from 9 am until the time of the Funeral Service at 10 am. Private interment.

In lieu of flowers, Bill’s wish was for memorial contributions to be made to Emmaus Soup Kitchen or to any food pantry or kitchen feeding the needy.