Peter E. Bogdan

SAUGUS - Mr. Peter E. Bogdan, 82 of Saugus, died August 24th surrounded by his loving family. He was the beloved husband of Shirley (Blakeslee) Bogdan with whom he shared 60 years of marriage.Born in Connecticut, he was the only child of Dorothy (Soldan) and Peter A. Bogdanowicz.Peter graduated from Malden Catholic High School in 1948, attended Bentley School of Accounting and North Shore Community College. He had been a resident of Saugus since 1958. He joined the Massachusetts National Guard in 1947, attended the Massachusetts Military Academy and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in 1954. Peter served in several capacities in the Guard until he resigned in 1964 as Captain to fulfill his commitment to his growing family. He worked for Servomation of New England for 20 years. He rejoined the National Guard in 1973 as a full time technician until his retirement in 1990. After his military retirement he was the manager at Lobsterman's Landing & Vitale Park in Saugus for 20 years.Peter enjoyed camping, family cookouts, cards with the boys and traveling throughout the United States visiting 49 of the states. The military was his passion and he and his wife visited sites that the 26th Yankee Infantry Division fought in WWII which included Italy, Sicily, Germany, France, Austria, Belgium Luxemburg, and most recently the Czech Republic.Peter is the epitome of the word volunteer. He served 34 years as Town Meeting Member, served on the Zoning Board of Appeals for over 30 years, Town's Charter Study Committee, the Saugus council on Aging, the Senior Citizen's Association and was seen daily at the Saugus Senior Center.He was a member and hold official positions in military organizations: Lawrence Light Guard Association, V.F.W. Post 1011, American Legion Post 210, the 2nd Corps of Cadets, Peabody Veterans Council, Portuguese American War Veterans Post 1, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States, and the Yankee Division Veteran's Association serving as Commander. He was the editor of their quarterly national magazine.In 2012 Peter was selected as "Person of the Year" for his outstanding dedication to the Town of Saugus.Peter was always a leader and not a follower. He will be missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, his military comrades and many friends.The world lost a great man, the patriarch of our sprawling family. You were a great mentor, an example for all of us. We're so glad you created such a wonderful family for us all to lean on during the hard times. That's a legacy to be proud of.In addition to his wife Peter leaves six children, Daniel Bogdan & his wife Noreen of Merrimack, NH, Diane McConnell of Saugus, David Bogdan & his wife Linda of Georgetown, Dennis Bogdan & his wife Sharon of Saugus, Douglas Bogdan & his wife Karen of Naples, ME, Donald Bogdan & his wife Susan of Wilton, NH; eleven grandchildren, Gregory Ezell, Sherilyn Peabody, Michelle Hayes, Richard Ezell, Daniel II Bogdan, Heather Babineau, Sara Kaufman, Katherine Bogdan, Matthew, Joshua & James Bogdan; five great grandchildren, Emma, Emylee, Natalie, Mackenzie and Hunter. Also survived by his nephew John Blakeslee.In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Yankee Division Veterans Association, c/o John Stepenuck, 25 Samoset Rd., Peabody, MA 01960 or the Friends of the Saugus Senior Center, 466 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906.Service Information: Funeral from the Bisbee-Porcella Funeral Home, 549 Lincoln Ave., SAUGUS on Thursday at 9:30 a.m. followed by a funeral mass at St. Margaret's Church, 431 Lincoln Ave., Saugus at 10:30 a.m. Relatives & friends invited. Visiting hours Wednesday 4-8 p.m. Interment Puritan Lawn Memorial Park, Peabody. For directions & condolences, www.BisbeePorcella.com.