Bolger ran like Lightning at Cardinal Dougherty High School, he ran the mile.in 4:23, a good time for the early 1960s. Before graduating from St. Joseph's College in 1966, be led its cross country team to victory in the IC4A and Mid-Atlantic Conference Championships. Bolger enlisted in the Marine Platoon Leader Corps in June 1966 and took officers' training. He was sent to Vietnam, where the 23-year-old platoon commander was assigned to Cornpany A of the 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, 3rd Marine Division. Bolger died on June 27, 1967 of wounds suffered in Khe Sahn, Quang Tri Province. Cardinal Doughtery High School sponsors the Bolger Run in his memory each year. Survivors include his parents, two brothers and three sisters.