Alex died peacefully at his Sun City West home on August 31. The eldest child of Romanian and Hungarian immigrants, Denny Bolyanatz and Mary Mellon Bolyanatz, Alex was born in Wauwatosa, WI. A graduate of Juneau High School, Alex enlisted in the US Navy as a Naval Aviation Cadet. After his service he enrolled at Carroll University in Waukesha, WI, where he met his future wife, Joy Blythe Cowley. In 1949 they married and 5 years later moved to California with their first 2 daughters. Shortly after, they welcomed another daughter and a son.
Alex taught science and math for the El Segundo School District. Soon after retiring from the District, he was an adjunct professor at Loyola and Pepperdine University. Additionally, he worked for the Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation Department where he is recognized as the founder and director of the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament. He was also active in selling commercial real estate.
When Alex and Joy retired, they moved to Sun City West where they became active community volunteers. Alex divided his time by serving at Property Owner & Residents Association (PORA), Meals on Wheels, and the RH Johnson Library.
In later years Alex dedicated much of his time to acrylic painting on canvas, golf with his buddies, cooking, and following college football.
He is survived by his sister Beverly McFadden, of Three Lakes, WI; his children: Marsha Bolyanatz, Grover Beach, CA; Leigh Dobbins, Wickenburg, AZ; Valerie Beuth (Len) Arroyo Grande, CA; Mark Bolyanatz (Marya) San Luis Obispo, CA. He also leaves 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.
All who knew Alex are invited to a memorial mass on Thursday, September 14, at 10:00 am at Prince of Peace Roman Catholic Church, 14818 W. Deer Valley Dr., Sun City West. A reception follows at Angela’s Kitchen, 19900 N Remington Dr., Surprise.
In lieu of flowers the family suggests a donation to the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.
