The LuLac Edition #5, 770, September 16th, 2026

 

WRITE ON WEDNESDAY

Our “Write on Wednesday” logo.

Bob Bolus, controversial Scranton city political activist (plus not too bad rig driver) passed away last week. One of his friends, Randy Bonitz wrote something on Facebook that bears repeating. In this time of political discourse, hating is easy behind a keyboard. Look, there are limits to how one remembers someone in death. There are enough euphemisms in the dictionary to describe someone’s actions. However, we should remember that we are all human beings, with flaws, varying decisions that some may or may not like. There are no barriers to freedom of speech either but there has to be a line drawn regarding death.  Like all of us there is a public side and a private side. But weigh both and Bolus was a guy whose two sides in the Scranton community had good intentions. Mr. Bonitz spelled them out correctly and in something we all deserve in life and death, kindness. 

 

 

ABOUT THAT BOB!

I've seen some pretty ugly comments about Bob Bolus since his passing, including people saying they're glad he's dead.

I understand that Bob was controversial. I understand that people disagreed with his politics, and I don't excuse the mistakes he made.

But I think we're missing something when we reduce a person's entire life to their worst mistake.

Scranton and Lackawanna County have had politicians and prominent businessmen caught up in corruption for decades. Some involved hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars, bribery, extortion and taking money from people doing business with the government.

Yet how often do we stop and remember what those people gave back?

Bob Bolus gave back — for more than 30 years.

He fed thousands of people on Christmas Day and made sure people who were alone or homebound had a meal.

He repeatedly helped Griffin Pond Animal Shelter and other animal rescues, including transporting thousands of pounds of donated pet food.

He supported children and community organizations.

He served as a volunteer firefighter.

He used his own trucks, trailers and business resources to help others.

And he spent his own money and considerable effort trying to locate the remains of Sgt. William Genaust, the Marine who filmed the famous Iwo Jima flag raising.

Was Bob perfect? Absolutely not.

Was he outspoken and controversial? Absolutely.

But those things don't erase the good he did.

You don't have to like Bob Bolus. You don't have to agree with him. You don't even have to forgive his mistakes.

But if we're going to be honest about the man, let's remember the whole man.

For more than three decades, there were people in Northeastern Pennsylvania who were fed, helped, supported, or simply not left alone because Bob Bolus decided to do something for them.

That matters too.

 

Rest in peace, Bob.