George Bolton

George Comstock Bolton died peacefully on July 11, 2025, in Palm Beach County, Florida, at the age of 93.

He was born in his grandparents home in Coconut Grove, Florida on December 7th, 1931, to the late Alex B. Bolton, Sr. and his beloved mother Mary E. “Molly” Harvey Bolton Burrell. In addition to his parents, George was preceded in death by his stepfather, Troy E. Burrell, Sr., his brothers Alex B. Bolton, Jr. and Howard W. Bolton, and his sister, Camille Bolton Wood Young.

George leaves behind the love of his life, Mary E. Burns Bolton, his daughters Glenda Jolene Bolton-Wiltsie and Melissa Diane Bolton Calabrese along with his Son-in-law Raymond J. Calabrese, his grandsons Patrick Bolton Calabrese and Michael Raymond Calabrese, his granddaughters Jade Elizabeth Wiltsie and Emma Jean Wiltsie.

George grew up in Hialeah, attending Hialeah Elementary School and Hialeah Junior High School (where he met the love of his life, Mary). Following that, he attended Miami-Jackson High School.

In 1949, 75 years ago, George, at the age of 17, joined Biscayne Engineering Company, where his grandfather had worked some years before. George would travel by bicycle from his family home in Hialeah to the office in downtown Miami where he worked as a rodman on a field crew. During this time, George and Mary were dating.

Before long, in 1950, George and Mary were married. He proudly celebrated his 75th wedding anniversary this past January, making sure to tell everyone he met that this was his wife, and they have been married for 75 years!

In 1952, during the Korean War conflict, George was drafted into the Army and following his tour of duty, returned to Biscayne Engineering Company where he worked for several years. In 1957, George continued surveying at another respected surveying firm, Schwebke-Shiskin and Associates in Miami, working his way up from party chief to partner in the firm.

In 1976, George returned and purchased Biscayne Engineering and then spent the next decades of his life building up the company that had given him his start. During this time, he selflessly passed on his wisdom in surveying and business to other professionals, many of whom went on to start their own successful businesses. The love of his life, Mary, was his partner in business as well as at home for the entire duration.

George was a passionate surveyor and set an example to others of how to be a good surveyor, gathering the evidence needed to support sound decisions. Even after he had retired, George would regularly come into the office on weekends and take a group of surveyors to a randomly selected block in the city, to teach them the art and science of field surveying, the way he had been taught. And for those more advanced in their careers, George would inspire and guide them in obtaining professional licensure.

Not only did George show others the way in terms of surveying and business, but he also set a powerful example of what it meant to be a husband, a father, a brother, and a grandfather. George spent his entire life head over heels in love with his wife Mary, the girl he had met in junior high school. And he was a devoted family man, helping to raise their two daughters while running the company.

And there are no words to express what an important role George played in the 126-year history of Biscayne Engineering Company. He lit the way, and although he cannot remain, the light from his torch will continue to guide all those he touched.

To George's family, friends and colleagues, his passing will leave a hole that cannot be filled. But in this time of mourning, comfort can be taken in the fact that he led a happy and purposeful life, and in so doing, changed the lives of so many people.