Arthur Melvin Bolic

Arthur Melvin Bolic, named after his mother’s two brothers, entered this world on January 27, 1931. His mother, Lily Holmgren, was a hairdresser to several Hollywood stars. His father, Walter Bolic, was raised in the mining camps of Bingham, Utah.

Growing up during the depression era taught Art the value of hard work. As a young boy on his Swedish grandparent’s farm in Utah, he learned to raise animals for food, to thin the neighbor’s beet garden, deliver newspapers, babysit and sell rhubarb. His family revered dinner time with everyone gathered around the family table. These lessons would serve him well as a young 15 year old began working summers in the kitchen at the Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park. He learned tricks of the trade from chefs there and his fondness for good food would last him a lifetime. It was while working at the Inn several years later that he met Norma Cole, a fellow student at the University of Utah. They married and had three daughters; Elizabeth, Sherry, and Terri.

He spent 18 months in the Army Air Corps during the Korean War serving as a teletype operator in Cheyenne, Wyoming. After his military service ended he became a top salesman for Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company in Salt Lake City. Although he excelled in the insurance business, it was not his passion. A promotion involved moving his family to sunny, warm San Diego in 1964, an easy decision. He spent 1 ½ years working with Chuck Cheney at Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Agency there.

Art’s opportunities called and as a new bachelor he excelled as top man at Love’s BBQ in El Cajon. At that time he took advantage of an exciting opportunity to be chef on several fishing charters down to Scammons Lagoon and as chef on long-range fishing expeditions and charters.

With a variety of seafood experiences both at the family table and cooking on boats, he opened a seafood restaurant he named Seafood Import Company on El Cajon Blvd. in the early 1970’s. Severe injuries resulting from an auto accident ended his budding restaurant career so he began catering small events for friends. In 1974 he was introduced to Margaret Vernon by a mutual friend. Together with her secretarial and organizational skills and his exiting food concepts, they started Art Bolic Catering in 1975. Their catering talent earned them many rave reviews from food columnists, fellow chefs and a broad clientele. They were best known for their famous machaca burrito, which Art created, an extraordinary tasty and habit- forming item. Margaret and Art’s employees were mainly family members. Their two sons as well as two of his three daughters and their children grew up in the family business. Art Bolic Catering grew and thrived and was finally sold in 2005 when Art and Margaret retired. They have many exciting and wonderful memories of their successful catering career.

Art’s many hobbies included wood turning, cooking for family and friends, gardening, hunting, talking about food, fishing, camping, and being with family. He was the life of the party and enjoyed joke telling and sharing cooking tips.

Art’s family was his pride and joy. He leaves behind a devoted family including: his beloved wife of 48 years, Margaret. His five children: Elizabeth Milne (Ken), Sherry Komld (Phil), Terri Mitchell (Travis), Brandon Bolic (Christina), and Darren Bolic (Missy). Also 19 grandchildren, 57 great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

He will be interred at Miramar National Cemetery. A memorial service is planned. Please contact the family for service particulars