Donald Joseph Bolicek, 73, of Coupeville, passed away at Island Hospital on Sept. 7, 2006. He was born on April 7, 1933 in Omaha, Nebraska, the son of James and Virginia (Soloman) Bolicek. Don’s career as a glazer in high rise construction enabled him to become a consummate handy man. He could fix anything, build anything and was always available to family, friends and neighbors when they needed a hand.

Don was so talented; he built his own speed boat entirely himself, keeping track of every cent spent on his project and every beer. He loved the outdoors and spent many years water skiing, dirt biking, building his dune buggies, desert camping, and fishing. Don also greatly enjoyed to RV. He and Glenda took pleasure in a three month cross country trip in the late 1980s. They visited family, friends, former homes, special places. Don and Glenda were avid square dancers and belonged to the Grape Stompers Club, and square danced across the United States.

He had many special and cherished pets during his lifetime. In photos of Don, he is often seen with a dog. His dog Boxer was a great companion, and later in life he was loved by Mitzie, Tinkerbell, Sugarfoot, Kona and Amanda. When Don was injured and ordered to bed rest and traction, his mother-in-law, Eva Scott, loaned him her parakeet, Sparky. Eva asked Don to teach her bird to talk, but instructed him not to teach Sparky any bad words. He had a fun and light hearted sense of humor, and always had a joke, quip or funny verse to tell.

Don is preceded in death by his parents and brother James. He is survived by his wife, Glenda Bolicek of Coupeville; son and spouse, Donald Jr. and Lisa Bolicek of Big Bear, Calif.; stepson Scott Beaty of Anacortes; daughter Erin Smart of Temecula, Calif.; stepdaughter and spouse, Cheryl and Jordan King of Anacortes; grandchildren Leah and Brent Bowman, Daryl Bolicek, Ashley Beaty, Chad Smart, Laura Smart, Matthew Smart and Jacob Kuhn; and his brother, Ronald Bolicek of Marietta, Calif.

A graveside service was held Sept. 12 at Fernhill Cemetery. Arrangements are under the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Anacortes. Share memories of Don and sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.