Robert J. Bodnar

Robert J. Bodnar, 70, of Roselle Park, N.J., passed away on Nov. 13, 2012, at Overlook Medical Center, Summit, N.J. Visitation will be held on Thursday, Nov. 15, from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Friday, Nov. 16, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at the McCracken Funeral Home, 1500 Morris Ave., Union, N.J. Funeral Mass will offered at Church of the Assumption, Roselle Park, N.J., on Saturday, Nov. 17, at 9 a.m. with interment to follow at Graceland Memorial Park, Kenilworth, N.J. Robert was born in Newark, N.J., in 1942 and grew up in Kenilworth, N.J. He later married and moved to Roselle Park in 1966. He attended Jonathan Dayton Regional High School and the Newark College of Engineering. Robert worked as the supervisor of maintenance for Otis Elevator Co., Harrison, N.J., and as a plant manager at Scott Printing, New Providence, N.J., and Meehan Tooker, East Rutherford, N.J. He was also a substitute teacher in Garwood, N.J., for many years. Robert was a Eucharistic minister and CCD teacher at the Church of the Assumption, Roselle Park. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and coached for the Roselle Park Youth Baseball and Soccer teams. He had a passion for gardening and was known to supply friends and neighbors with produce. He enjoyed playing golf with his sons and friends, and made sure to attend all of his granddaughters' sporting events. He will be remembered by his family for his love of storytelling. The family is grateful to the staff at Medical Diagnostic Associates and Carol G. Simon Cancer Center for their care of Robert during his illness. He was predeceased by his parents, Jane (Lesko) and Joseph Bodnar. His is survived by his beloved wife of 46 years, Bernadette (Wetzel) Bodnar. He is also survived by his sons, Robert of Tinton Falls, and Brian and his wife, Meg, of Edison, N.J., and his grandchildren, Katie and Jessie. He also leaves behind his sister, Jeanne Maurella and her husband, Anthony. Robert was cherished and loved by many friends.