Walter A. “Bud” Rolfs, Jr., 70, of Nashua, passed away Saturday morning, September 10, 2022, after battling leukemia. He was surrounded by his wife and two children when he passed.
Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on December 6, 1951, he was one of three children of the late Walter A. and Mary E. (Ream) Rolfs. During his youth, Bud resided with his family in Mount Joy, PA. He graduated Donegal High School in 1969, with acceptances to the Merchant Marine Academy, United States Coast Guard Academy, and United States Military Academy. He attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY, where he established a lifelong brotherhood with several of his classmates and on June 6, 1973, he graduated. He served with the Army from 1973 to 1978, and had been stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas with the Headquarters 3/6 Field Artillery – 1st Infantry Division and holding the rank of Captain. After his honorable discharge, Bud later continued his education at Rivier College, now Rivier University, in Nashua, where he earned his MBA, and then successfully completed an Executive Development Program from Cornell University, New York, in 1986.
Bud began his working career with Polaroid in Waltham, MA, where he worked for over 20 years as Vice President within the Instant Film Division. He then worked at Analogic Corporation in Peabody, MA and later with TFNN, where he hosted a radio broadcast for stock and financial investing.
In his leisure time, Bud enjoyed fishing, writing beautiful poetry, and reading and educating others on the Bible. He was an avid sports fan, and especially loved watching football, whether it was Army v. Navy games, NFL games, or his son and later, grandson’s high school football games. He loved spending time with his family and adored quality time with his “magnificent seven” grandchildren. He loved traveling, including leisurely drives to the Maine coastline or big island adventures to the Bahamas, one of his favorite island destinations.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Nancymarie (Formato) Rolfs, whom he married on June 17, 1973; his daughter and son-in-law, Amy M. and Kevin Corriveau of Nashua; his son and daughter-in-law, Eric A. and Brianna Rolfs of Pelham, NH; and his seven grandchildren, Maegan Corriveau, Hailey Corriveau, Anthony Rolfs, Joshua Corriveau, and triplets Reagan Walter, Arianna, and Colton Rolfs; sister, Susan Rolfs of Mount Joy, PA; his mother-in-law, Frieda Formato; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, James and Sharon Formato all of New Windsor, NY; and several nieces and nephews. He is pre-deceased by his older sister, Nancy Frattolillo of Lyndhurst, NJ.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua, on Wednesday, September 14th from 5 to 7 p.m. and at the Hudson Valley Funeral Home, New Windsor, NY on Friday, September 16th from 4 to 7 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be held in St. Francis of Assisi Church in Newburgh, NY, Saturday morning at 10 o’clock followed by Army Honors and interment at Calvary Cemetery in New Windsor, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Leukemia or Kidney Foundations or the Tunnels to Towers Foundation. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com
