In Memoriam
George LeBolt
December 31, 1929 - February 27, 2010
George was best known as a passionate devotee of the art of bonsai and had been involved in bonsai for more than 40 years. He first studied with Frank Okimora at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for a year, and then with Yugi Yoshimura at the New York Botanical Garden for 5 years. He was an Executive Board Member of the MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies for 12 years and was its President for 2 years. He was the President of the Bergen Bonsai Society for 16 years.
He had been teaching and lecturing on bonsai for over 20 years, presenting lecture/demonstrations, workshops and all day study group sessions. Many years ago, he became particularly fascinated with tropical trees and began to specialize in tropical bonsai. His trees had garnered many honors, including the “Bonsai Clubs International's President Award", the MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies “Presidents Award" and "Best In Show" Award. He was also a Bonsai Presenting Artist at the MidAtlantic Bonsai Societies 25th Annual Festival in April, 2008, in New York.
His vast collection of Bonsai has been donated for permanent display to the Montreal Botanical Gardens in Montreal, Canada. In memory of George, donations may be made to the George LeBolt Bonsai Collection at the Montreal Botanical Gardens in Montreal.
Montreal Botanical Garden
4101 Sherbrooke Street East
Montreal QC H1X 2B2
Canada
George’s presence will be deeply missed by the membership of the Bergen Bonsai Society as his contributions made the club the success that it is today.
