Long-time professional wrestler Steve Bolus of Burlington, Ontario has died of cancer.
He got into the business in Hamilton in the late ’50s at the encouragement of his friends the Tolos Brothers, with whom he traveled the road a lot.
Bolus was of Greek descent and was proud to show off his heritage. He was a skilled amateur before turning pro.
“He adapted a style of his own and blended it together with the American catch-as-catch-can style we were used to. He had moves that other guys wished they had knowledge of, and he was a top money-maker in the Midwest,” explained Percival A. Friend on his web site.
Bolus had a lot of success in the Central States territory, based out of Kansas City. He formed great tag teams there with Rufus R. Jones and Steve Kovacs.
In B.C., he was NWA Canadian tag champ with Dean Higuchi (Dean Ho) in 1969.
His was often billed as a cousin to Chris & John Tolos, and his named sometimes spelled Bolos. “They went everywhere together,” said former Hamilton promoter Bob Clarke. “They more or less found work for him. They were always close. Of course, Chris learned a lot of cooking from him as well, because they were big on family.”
Around Burlington, Bolus was well known through his volunteer work with the Aldershot Community Council and Warwick-Surrey Community Association. His obituary in the Hamilton Spectator talked of his love of gardening. “His pet project was the ‘Gardens’ at Plains Road and Francis Drive, Burlington. He could not wait for spring to arrive to gather his tools and spend the day sprucing up the garden of which he and his helpers did a terrific job.”
Bolus was first diagnosed with cancer in June 2001. He is survived by his brother George, his companion, Nancy McCutcheon, daughter Natasha, son-in-law Mark and grandson Victor.
Visitation is at Smith’s Funeral Home, 1167 Guelph Line (one stoplight north of QEW), BURLINGTON (905-632-3333) on Wednesday 7-9 p.m. Prayers at 7:30 p.m. Funeral Service will be held at St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, 22 Head St., Hamilton on Thursday, March 28, 2002 at 1 p.m. Interment Woodland Cemetery, Hamilton.
