LEWISTON — The Rev. Ernest “Red” Henry Bolio, 83, of Bryant Pond, went home to be with the Lord, Dec. 18, at Marshwood Center with family by his side.

He was born in Irvington, N.J., Aug. 23, 1929, the son of Henry T. and Sarah (Luce) Bolio. He graduated from Berwick Academy in 1948 and received his BA degree from Providence-Barrington Bible College in 1954. He also attended Gordon Divinity School.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1955 to 1956. In June 1958, Ernest married Nadja Prokopovich of Peabody, Mass., at the Russian Baptist Church. They have been happily married for 54 years and raised seven children.

In 1962, he was ordained by the United Baptist Convention of Maine. He served as pastor at churches in Sabattus, Georgetown, Five Islands, Canton and East Sumner between the years of 1958 to 1975.

He was employed by Pioneer Plastics in Auburn from 1975 to his retirement in 1991. He faithfully maintained a radio ministry, The Simple Gospel Broadcast, on various Christian stations since the early 1970s.

He will be greatly missed by his dear wife, Nadja Bolio and son Ernest J. Bolio of Bryant Pond; son, Eric Bolio and wife, Annette, of Fieldale, Va.; son, Bruce Bolio and wife, Sandra, of King, N.C.; daughter, Brenda Gora of Minot; daughter, Hunee Ebbrect and husband, Steve, of Maspeth, N.Y.; daughter, Glori Murphy and husband, Greg, of South Portland; daughter, Jaimee Mishler and husband, Mike, of Fairfax, Va.; and all 16 grandchildren.

He was predeceased by his parents; as well as his half sister, Maxine Cormier of Littleton, Mass.

Red loved to laugh, work in his gardens and enjoyed time with his family. Online condolences may be shared at www.chandlerfunerals.com.