Bruce Dabolish
August 12, 1959 - March 31, 2024
Visitation: Friday April 5, 2024 from 2 PM - 8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy
Service: Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 10 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, St. Teresa of Avila Church
Bruce Dabolish, 64, of Franklin Park passed away on Sunday March 31, 2024; son of the late Sylvia Dabolish; and Burton, husband of 30 years to Laura Dreves Dabolish; brother to the late James Devlin and Cynthia O’Toole; brother in law to Barbara Dreves, Jim Dreves, and Mike O’Toole; son in law to Lorraine Dreves and the late John Dreves; and uncle to nieces and nephews. Also preceded in death by his wisdom teeth and most recently his hair.
Bruce was an amazing man with a wicked sense of humor and a heart of gold.
Bruce was described by some as an adrenaline junky. His most loved adventures included:
Snowboarding, hang gliding, naked fire jumping, scuba diving, motorcycle riding, sky diving, biking, rock climbing, camping and boating, to name a few. Proof of all his adventures may be found cluttering the basement. When he needed a real thrill Bruce and Laura played Miniature Golf.
The Annual Torch light at Seven Springs will not be the same without Bruce’s dedication to providing beverages for his fellow instructors. Laura will not miss the jokes that he learned while teaching the Seven Springs Mountain Adventure Team.
When he wasn’t teaching snowboarding and skiing his “real” job was restoring buildings, some included historical landmarks. He worked for Young Restoration for over 35 years, Local #9, until his cancer progressed. In recent years, Bruce began but was not able to complete building a log cabin with his own hands. His dream was to build this house so that he and Laura could live out their retirement days in the majestic beauty of the mountains.
Fun Fact: Bruce has a rap sheet that includes an incident of Premeditated Disorderly Conduct….
Friends will be received Friday April 5, 2024 from 2 PM to 8 PM at Devlin Funeral Home, 806 Perry Hwy.
Mass of Christian Burial on Saturday 10 AM at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish, St. Teresa of Avila Church
Bruce was a great neighbor. I loved watching the progress of that Log Cabin from my porch. He was like MacGyver he could fix anything when I had problems he always had something to offer a tool, and idea. I love the fact that, I believe he was one of the first crossovers from skiing to teaching snowboarding. His smile, his attitude, moved so many, he was incredible with the children in Mountain Adventure. My prayers are with the family, just know that he’ll always be remembered, maybe it’s a torch light, maybe it’s a lesson, maybe it’s staring up at that log cabin, but he’ll be on our thoughts all the time, he’ll never be forgotten. As I like to say heaven just gained a great snow Pro unfortunately it’s getting crowded up there lately.
Bruce was one of the most unique people I have ever known. We were in high school together and I spent time with him primarily in our teen years. His light shoned brightly and will be sincerely missed by a multitude of people who’s lives he touched!
It was my privilege to have known and shared time with Bruce. He will surely be missed.
One of the many crazy times we had involved boating at the point. This particular day had a huge storm move in on us, to which we docked at the point and ran to the bathrooms to wait it out. After the storm passed we went back to the boat only to find it sunk right there at the point.
We did rescue the cooler and the beers inside.
Rest in peace my friend you will be missed.
Bruce was a truly amazing man that I had the privilege to know and call friend. His zest for life and all that it had to offer would inspire any person to be more than they thought they could be. He had such a humorous, positive, can do attitude that exuded from him with the very first and each ensuing interaction I had with him. He was always there to offer a joke, a kind word, a tool, or his expertise to help you in anyway he could. He will be greatly missed, and this world will be a slightly darker place without his light in it.
What an incessant upbeat man! His thirst for all the adventure life had to offer should be admired by all. I have been blessed to have participated in some of those adventures and my life has been made so more colorful through those experiences. Each time I reminiscence it brings tears, but mostly chuckles. I still question if the magistrate made up that whole premeditated thing
I met Bruce on a job site after a glass block replacement job I started but could not finish, or more accurately I did not possess the required testicular fortitude to drag a bucket of mortar 30’ up a janky aluminum latter on soft ground. Laura put us together and with extreme confidence or personal disdain for typical safety concerns proceeded to hang off the side of the building on a bosun’s chair like it was just another Tuesday. I am glad I got the chance to meet the man she spoke of so fondly…
I met Bruce in the late 1970s. He was my first “adult“ relationship. More than that he was my good friend, like a son to my mom and dad, Betty and Sam. A true brother to my siblings. His mother Sylvia did a wonderful job because he is one of the kindest people I know. As sick as he was, he found the strength to make it to my nephews wedding in late 2022. Bruce did not deserve to suffer the way he did. Although that suffering is gone completely, and never to be felt again because he is skydiving right now in heaven, with his mom, brother and sister. His wife Laura deserves all the credit . She kept him hopeful and comfortable up to the end. If you know her, keep in touch with her. I know I will.
I went to high school with Bruce. I remember him as a wild, crazy, fun loving guy. May he rest in peace. My Sympathies to all who knew and loved him.
Bruce, you will be so missed! One of the things I am most happy about, besides the gift of my daughter, is introducing my best friend to you! Thank you for bringing so much love, happiness, adventure and laughter into my best friend’s life!! You two are soul mates forever. I know it is all the love you have for Laura that made you fight so hard. All of us who loved you, will be there for Laura. You rest easy now, with Remi. We got this. Until we meet again my friend!
Bruce Almighty! thank you for all the memories growing up, and for shaping me into the skier I am today. Till next time brother
I went to highschool with Bruce. He was a really nice guy. I am so sorry to hear of his passing. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
We will miss you