Father Jeremy J. Bolha, O.S.B., a monk of Saint Vincent Archabbey, died September 1, 2016. A native of Wilpen, Pennsylvania, he was born December 14, 1932. He is the son of the late Valentine Bolha and Eleanor (Kochis) Bolha. He is survived by his sister, Geraldine (Mrs. Leonard) Hoffer of Ligonier RD 1 and was preceded in death by his brother Valetine Bolha.
Father Jeremy attended Holy Trinity Roman Catholic School and Ligonier High School. He graduated from Saint Vincent Preparatory School in 1950 and received a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Vincent College in 1955. He graduated from Saint Vincent Seminary in 1959.
He made simple profession of vows on July 2, 1953 and solemn profession of vows on July 11, 1956. He was ordained before Bishop Hugh Lamb in Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Greensburg on May 23, 1959.
Father Jeremy served as socius of novices at Saint Vincent Archabbey for two years, and as a prefect in the preparatory school for two years. He was assistant pastor at Ascension Parish, Jeannette (1954-1964), director of maintenance at Saint Vincent (1964), and assistant pastor at St. Mary’s Parish, Pittsburgh (1964-1970). He was associate pastor of St. Bruno Parish, South Greensburg (1970-1972), and served as pastor of that parish (1972-1981). He was pastor of Queen of the World Church, St. Marys (1981-1985), pastor at Saint Vincent Parish (1985-1991), and pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Jeannette (1991-1995), before becoming associate pastor of Queen of the World Parish, St. Marys in (1995-2000). In 2000 He was appointed parochial vicar at Saint Benedict Parish, Carrolltown (2000-2001), parochial vicar at Saint Cecilia Parish in Whitney and Sacred Heart Parish in Youngstown (2001-2003), and senior priest at Sacred Heart Parish, St. Marys (2003-2008). He retired to the Archabbey in 2008.
The body of Father Jeremy will be received at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6, 2016 in the Elizabeth J. Roderick Center at Saint Vincent. Viewing will be held in the parlor of the Elizabeth Roderick on Tuesday, September 6, from 2-5 p.m.
The body of Father Jeremy will be transferred to the Archabbey Basilica for the Vigil Service at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 6 followed by another viewing until 8:30 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Prior Earl Henry, O.S.B. on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. in Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica followed by the Rite of Committal at Saint Vincent Cemetery.