Walter Joseph Bogdovitz Jr.

Walter was born to the late Walter J. and Mary McHugh Bogdovitz on April 26, 1937 in Massena, NY. He graduated from Massena Central High School in 1955 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY in 1959.

On New Year’s Eve 1959, Walter met Mary Ellen Early of Watervliet, NY and knew right away they would spend their lives together. They married at St. Patrick Church in Watervliet, NY on September 5, 1959. Walter, Mary Ellen and their children soon began a great adventure spending years on construction sites in Thailand and Venezuela as well as the United States.

Walter’s engineering knowledge and skills were in great demand as he consulted on large hydroelectric power projects all over the world including Liberia, Pakistan, China, Iceland, Argentina, Paraguay, and El Salvador. Before he retired, Walter was President and CEO of Harza Engineering Company in Chicago, IL.

While Walter’s career was impressive, his family will always remember him for the care he showed his family. For more than a decade he took care of Mary Ellen, even became a gourmet chef to treat her to delicious meals as her health declined.

Walter built beautiful federal-style furniture, was an avid fisherman, hunter, and gardener. He greatly enjoyed his beautiful home, woodshop and property on the Raquette River in Raymondville, NY.

Walter J. Bogdovitz, 87, died in Dallas, TX on Nov. 17 at the home of his daughter and son-in-law. He is survived by his daughter Cindy and husband Charlie Moore of Dallas, TX, son Patrick and wife Christine Bogdovitz of Pace, FL, and daughter Mary Elizabeth Bogdovitz of Dallas, TX, seven grandchildren and three great-granddaughters. Also surviving Walter is his sister Mary Ann (Roger) Hazel of Massena, NY and several other relatives.

He was predeceased by his wife, Mary Ellen, children Edward and Michael Bogdovitz, and brothers John and Steven Bogdovitz.

A Rosary will be prayed in his honor on Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church in Dallas, Texas, followed by a Memorial Mass at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St Peter's Outreach / St. Peter's Church, Massena, NY. https://massenacatholics.com/make-a-donation