Former Clark Councilman, John Bodnar, Jr passes away at 87
John Bodnar Jr., 87, husband, father, engineer, and proud patriot, died peacefully on July 24, 2019 at Princeton Medical Center. His outgoing personality earned him many nicknames, but his favorite was “Grandpa.”
John was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Rahway, NJ, the oldest of 3 children. He graduated from Rahway High in 1949 with several academic and athletic honors for football, basketball, and baseball.
His biggest honor was marrying his Rahway High School sweetheart Barbara Joan Bogus on Jan. 28, 1955, at St. Mary’s Church in Rahway, NJ. They raised three sons, John, Glenn, and Jay on Madison Hill Road in Clark, NJ.
John took an active role in the world around him early. He participated in Rahway High student government and Jersey Boy’s State. He attended Rutgers University and won an appointment to the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Marine Engineering.
While at King’s Point, John was sub-company commander of the regimental honor company and competed in football, wrestling, track, and baseball, receiving an All-America mention in football. When his grandchildren later competed in sports, John rarely missed a game and was quick to give “helpful hints.” It was hard to argue with him – he played almost everything.
After graduation, John served in the U.S. Navy as an engineering officer aboard an ocean-going minesweeper during the Suez crisis.
John built a career in chemical and refinery maintenance and engineering, and a lifetime in service to his community. He was a Little League coach, Boy Scout troop leader, PTA member, and town councilman in Clark’s first ward.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, sons John and Glenn, daughters-in-law Karen and Suzanne, 5 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandsons.
