Josephine Frances Hrvatin Bole
Josephine “Josie” Frances Hrvatin Bole, 98, formerly of McDonald, died Sunday, September 18, 2022. She resided with her daughter, Janice Rockwell and husband Robert in their home in Middletown, Md. Born May 5, 1924, in Lawrenceville, at home and weighing only 1.5 pounds, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Frances Hrvatin.
She was the loving wife of Anton “Tony” Bole, who predeceased her in 2016.
Josie is survived by her daughters, Janice B. Rockwell (Bob) of Middletown, and Darla J. Bole of Nashville, Tenn.; granddaughter, Julie Frances Moeslein (Donald) of Nashville; grandson, Robert Anton Rockwell of Long Island City, N.Y.; and nephew, Gilbert Hervatin, Jr. of Studio City, Calif.
In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, Gilbert Hervatin.
Josie grew up in the heart of a strong Slovenian neighborhood in Pittsburgh, graduating from Peabody High School in 1942.
She worked in the Prosveta Department of the Slovene National Benefit Society (SNPJ) in Chicago and then as a bookkeeper at Roms, a wholesale grocery distributer in Pittsburgh, from 1945 to 1958.
Josie met her beloved Tony at a picnic in Drenik’s Park in Strabane; they were married July 5, 1958. From 1959 to 1977, they owned and operated the Town House Bar in McDonald. The six-day-a-week business was a true partnership, with each of them working hard to keep bar and household running smoothly.
From 1977 to 1989, Josie worked at All in One Linen Outlet in McMurray and later South Hills, where her sewing skills were an asset in the curtain department. From 1990-2012, Josie served as treasurer for the Slovene Speaking Federation of Western Pennsylvania.
Josie enjoyed making hats and outfits for premature babies, roller skating, playing bingo, playing cards and cheering for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Josie treasured her 40-year card club run with her wonderful Gladden Heights neighbors. In her youth, she played the banjo with her brother, who played the accordion. Josie had a beautiful soprano singing voice and sang with the Preseren Singing Society.
In 1980, Josie and Tony bought a trailer at the SNPJ Recreation Center and a new pastime was born. Josie developed strong friendships at their weekend oasis, where she frequently could be found playing on the balina (bocce) courts – and compete she did! She volunteered for the SNPJ, giving back to the fraternal organization that brought her so much enjoyment. She served as Slovenefest treasurer, sewed curtains for the dorm, painted cabins, and worked admission booths.
Josie loved her children and grandchildren, always putting their best interests ahead of her own. She took great joy sewing their clothes – even doll clothes, making grape juice, baking apple pies, crafting and knitting up a storm. Despite living several hours away, she made a priority of being involved in her grandchildren’s lives, never missing the important moments, including Julie’s wedding this June.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the “SNPJ” with memo for “Cabin Renovation Fund – in memory of Josephine Bole,” 247 W. Allegheny Road, Imperial, PA 15126.
To celebrate their mom and grandmother, the family is planning a commemorative balina tournament at the SNPJ Recreation Center in May 2023. All are invited to play or watch.