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He was known for loving the Bee Gee’s!

Chesterville – John William Bulger Sr., age 92, passed away on October 6, 2026, at home with family by his side. John was born February 23, 1934, the son of John Joseph Bulger and Dorothy Emma (Lamoureux) Bulger. John was born the eldest of 8 children, at a time when support was needed to feed a large family, so when John was in middle school, he left the catholic school in Shirley, MA, to go work in a bowling alley setting pins manually. He would walk to and from work in his worn-out shoes held together by cardboard soles and duct tape, not realizing at the time that this early-in-life love for family and dedication to family would lead to a lifetime of enjoyment with his family at the bowling lanes.

John went on to join the United States Navy, which he was very proud of, learning a sense of American pride which he carried with him throughout the rest of his life. He truly enjoyed traveling the world and seeing the beauty in lands far away. While in the Navy John became a professional boxer, continuing in the Boston circuit. He worked hard as a truck driver, bus driver and oil delivery man, he also worked with his brother Jimmy, painting houses on the side. John was married to Edna A. Bulger for 36 years. Together, in Leominster, MA, they raised 5 loving daughters and 1 loving son. In the early 1980’s John moved his family to Wendell, MA, where he and Edna would spend the rest of their marriage, before her passing. John and Edna loved each other dearly and enjoyed the laid-back atmosphere of a small mountain town at the gateway to the Berkshires of Massachusetts. They both truly loved spending time with their children and grandchildren.

When John wasn’t busy working hard to provide for his family, he enjoyed camping trips to Lake George, NY each summer with his family. He became a professional candlepin bowler, as seen on Channel 5 in Boston on Candlepins for Cash. His name became well recognized in the bowling community and is found throughout the record books. John shared his love and gift of bowling with his son, John and his daughter Lisa, both of whom are in the record books with their father. He loved music, singing, playing the harmonica, the spoons and drumming. He was light on his feet, not only as a boxer, but also a dancer! He was known for loving the Bee Gee’s!

John moved to Maine in 2014 to be closer to his daughter, Lisa, and start the next chapter of his life. 15 years after the death of Edna, he found love and companionship in Dorothy (Cote) Bulger and the two married in 2022. John and Dorothy moved to Chesterville, where he would spend the remainder of his years. The couple shared a love for their Catholic faith, John was a member of St. Rose of Lima in Jay, ME. He and Dorothy enjoyed dining out, raising chickens and gardening. He sold his chicken eggs locally, with a sign that read “Happy Eggs from Happy Chickens” John continued to care for his gardens and fruit trees and bushes right up to 91 years of age. He was active and fortunate to be on his feet each day until the end of his time. He lived the best version of his life each and every day.

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John continued to care for his gardens and fruit trees and bushes right up to 91 years of age

He was always strong, yet tender and funny. He made every effort to make those around him feel happy and comfortable. He was always giving in any way he could. If he could give anything to anyone, he would, he was generous beyond words. One of the greatest gifts he had to offer was his humor, he was a colorful character indeed!

John leaves behind his wife, Dorothy Bulger and her children; his daughters, Debbie Fleck and husband Rick, Donna Gamache and her fiancé Dennis Stange, Becky Flynn and her husband Patrick, and Lisa Cummings and her husband Chad; his son, John Bulger Jr and his wife Janice; one surviving brother, Mike Bulger and his wife Virginia and their son, Scott; and his 13 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. John is preceded in death by his parents, John and Dorothy Bulger; his first wife, Edna Bulger; his daughter, Pamela Soucier; and his siblings, James, Freddy, Madeline, Irene, Dorothy and Patsy.

A funeral service with military honors will take place at the Winchendon Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Thursday October 15, 2026, at 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the American Diabetes Association, PO Box 7023 Merrifield, VA 22116-7023 or 800-342-2383. Arrangements are under the care of Dan & Scott’s Cremation & Funeral Service, 488 Farmington Falls Rd., Farmington, Maine, where memories, photos and condolences may be shared at www.dsfuneral.com