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Russell Bodnyk Obituary
Russell Bodnyk, age 85, a resident of Boca Raton for 21 years, passed away Monday, November 1, 2010 in Boca Raton, Florida. He was born April 30, 1925 in Northampton, PA to the late Anthony and Katherine Maslanyk Bodnyk. He was a veteran and served in WW II as a B-29 pilot in the Western Pacific with the 20th Air Force where he earned three campaign metals. He graduated from Lehigh University where he received a degree in industrial engineering and masters of engineering. He was also a registered licensed professional engineer. On September 17, 1949 in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, he married Mary Savitske and they had four children. He worked 31 years for General Electric where he retired as the Manager - Manufacturing Engineering for GE Super Abrasives Division in Worthington, OH and Shannon, Ireland. Survivors: Include his wife, Mary Bodnyk, of Boca Raton, Florida; two sisters, Katherine Clements, of Bethesda, Maryland, and Ann Fanok, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; three sons, Russell Jr., of Keller, Texas, Anthony, of Mansfield, Ohio, and Jonathan, of Franklin, Indiana; one daughter, Lizabeth Klager, of Boca Raton, Florida; eight grandchildren, Russell Bodnyk III, Dane Bodnyk, Katrina Bodnyk (Langford), Michael Bodnyk, Elise Bodnyk, Shane Klager, Skylar Klager, and Kyle Bodnyk; also one great-grandchild, Sydney Bodnyk. Services: Pay respects at St. Jude Catholic Church at 21689 Toledo Road, Boca Raton on Friday, November 5, 2010 between 1 to 1:30 p.m. with a mass immediately following at 1:30 p.m. Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Parkinson Disease Foundation. Arrangements by Gary Panoch Funeral Home & Cremations. 561-997-8580 www.gpanochfunerals.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Russell Bodnyk
Jon Bodnyk
October 28, 2025
Our Father was a Great Man !!!
Sharon Keeler
October 30, 2019
I will always cherish the times I spent with your family, when I was a child and later as an adult with my own children. Your father was a caring and generous man who loved his family deeply. I still have the bowl he brought me from Ireland. Its where I keep my Ukrainian Easter eggs now.
He was always busy with some project. I remember thinking he could fix anything.
I have a photo of him with his two sisters and other relatives that belonged to my mom. He was a good, good man.
Love Sharon
Liz Klager
November 12, 2010
Wanted to thank all of our family and friends. I've been so touched by your stories and memories of my Dear Dad. My heart is broken, but I know he is at peace.
Jerry & Carol Savitske
November 7, 2010
Dear Aunt Mary and Family;
We were sorry to learn of Russ' passing. Our most sincere condolences to all of you. Russ will always be remembered as a kind, caring man with an engaging smile.
November 7, 2010
Thank you for your service to our country.
Blue Star Mothers of America
Buckeye Military Moms, Ch 9
Worthington/Cols. OH
Tami Townsend
November 6, 2010
Aunt Mary and Family
I will never forget ALL the fun times at Brigantine and Fl. He was a very strong minded but a soft heart. I will not forget times Uncle Rusty would come home from work or errands.When Liz was small and Uncle Rusty always had a treat in his pocket. Liz would ask for a treat and Uncle Rusty would say yes. "Don not tell Mom". The other thing was he would always straiten a rug or a picture. He will always be in my heart. Love Tami
Sharon Keeler
November 6, 2010
Dear Aunt Mary and family,
I was so saddened to learn that Uncle Russ had died. He was a wonderful man, full of life and passion for his family, friends and work. He was kind and generous and I will always remember the great times we had with you in Columbus and in Brigantine. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dan & Melissa Savitske
November 6, 2010
Aunt Mary and Family,
I just got back from field training for deployment and got the news. Please accept our condolences for Russ's passing. I was elk hunting two weeks ago and often thought of the great times we had with Russ here chasing deer and elk. He will be missed greatly.
Our prayers are with you and the family.
Hugh & Margie Maples
November 6, 2010
We were saddened to hear of the passing of your dear husband. He was such a great guy and so-o-o intelligent.
When I would call your home, he would talk a few minutes--then call, "Mary, Cheryl's mother is on the phone." I can hear him now.
I pray God will give you strength and comfort during this time of sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jim Savitske
November 5, 2010
Dear Bodnyk Family,
Each one of you were in my thoughts today. Today's "Good Bye's" really mean "until we see each other again". I know our loss of Uncle Russ is great, but yours is even greater. It is those fond memories that we all had as being so blessed to have such a close extended family and how our Uncle Russ and Aunt Mary always had room for 1 more! My dear Aunt Mary, I know that you journeyed with Uncle Russ for nearly a decade as his health declined. May God richly bless you as you are a faithful helpmate, wife and mother. May the Lord's Peace and the Power of this Grace and Love sustain you, and my dear cousins in the coming days.
Joseph Torcivia
November 5, 2010
Dear Aunt Mary and Family,
You are all in my thoughts and prayers. I remember all the great times we shared from Brigantine (Uncle Russ giving me my first beer), to the lake fishing and camp fires in Boca Raton. All my Love and Sympathy.
November 5, 2010
Dear Aunt Mary and family,
I am thinking of you and wishing I could be there pay my respects. Your husband and father was a generous and kind person to me. I thank you Uncle Rusty for all the times you shared your house in Brigantine with me and my brothers.
Parents are so special, there will never be another person like your husband and Dad. Cherish all the memories you shared together in this lifetime. May the angels guide your spirit to heaven Uncle.
My thoughts and prayers are with you today and always dear Bodnyk family.
Patricia Savitske Check
Jake Sahl
November 5, 2010
My deepest sympathy on the passing of Russell Bodnyk, a comrade in arms, of the 20th Air Force. Our ranks are rapidly decreasing and many now make the "Final Mission". May Russell join the others of the Twentieth in eternal rest.
Farewell.
Jake Sahl, Delray Beach. e-mail:
[email protected].
Tom McCabe
November 5, 2010
Dear Bodnyk family, so sorry to hear of Russ's passing. I worked with him in Columbus Ohio and Dublin Ireland in the 1980's. He was an example to us all, a good man and a great leader. He also was a great human being. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow and may he rest in peace.
Diana Walsh
November 5, 2010
To my dear Bodnyk Family:
I'm so sorry for the loss of your father, and my uncle. I know how much he had struggled for the past years, and his strength and determination was obvious every day in just the little things that we take for granted. I know he was a wonderful father, husband, and very generous to us as his "extended family" during all the summers we spent in Brigantine. I loved going out on the boat with him at the wheel, and I will miss him dearly, and think of him often, especially in Brigantine, when I see the "white wicker chair". I wish I could be there to celebrate his life with you. Please know that I am there in heart and prayer.
Love always...
Jeff Peiffer
November 5, 2010
Dear Mary, Jonathan, Liz, Anthony, and Rob,
My deepest thoughts and prayers go out to you and your entire family with Russ' passing. Our families have known each other ever since I can remember growing up in New Hartford, NY and Worthington, OH. Russ was like a second Father. He was a special person in so many ways. Russ had a sincere interest in people and their well being, and always shared a unique sense of humor. And a beer! He was quick to show us the latest gaget he bought, how it worked and what a deal he got. Never a dull moment at the Bodnyk house...
We all loved Russ; he gave us a lifetime of vivid memories, and will be greatly missed.
Jeff Peiffer and Family
Herbert cOLLIER
November 4, 2010
I first met Russ in 1974 at General Eletric. I came to respect him as our boss and friend . It was a great privilege to have know him. I`m so sorry for your loss OF your love one.Thanks for sharing him with us at G.E. Superabrasives
Dave Fanok
November 4, 2010
Dearest Bodnyk clan,
You dad was a terrific man and my closest of uncles. He is a man to whom I looked up to my entire life beyond just what we shared as engineers. He inspired me in ways that most of you probably never knew although Anthony & I have spoken candidly of this.
You may also not know that, a few summers ago, I took a few moments after dinner, to thank your dad for all of his, generosity, sage advice and for the many insights he shared with me while we walked along those seemingly endless Brigantine beaches. And, y'know what? He quietly thanked me for thanking him - so typical of your dad's humble nature.
In the latter years of his life as he struggled against his physical limitations, I felt happy for whatever little bit of happiness and laughter Jim & I were able to bring to him in the form of conversation or occasional jokes. He was so genuinely appreciative of our efforts. Even with hislimitations, he still managed some kind and affectionate words for my young children and, even for their tender ages, they were touched by him. Your dad was a genuine "Ace" and that moniker extends far beyond the WWII days.
When Anthony called to tell me the other night of his passing, I tried to remain strong on the phone for him (as he had done for me when my dad passing last year). Afterwards, though, I pretty much lost it.
I will always hold among my most precious memories those of times spent with your family at the shore house, on the beaches, in the boat, watching the clams sink out of sight in that little blue boat, your parents' anniversary celebration and the laughter shared around the back porch dinner table. Your dad was always a huge part of that.
We are all fortunate to have had Uncle Russ for as long as we did and we will all miss him terribly. Still, he will live on in our hearts and I look forward to reflecting with you on our times spent with him in the years to come as I know we will surely do around that very same back porch table.
Please take whatever solace you can from knowing that you are all in our collective hearts, as well, and that we are thinking of you in your time of loss.
My love,
Cousin David
Dave Fanok
November 4, 2010
Dearest Bodnyk clan,
You dad was a terrific man and my closest of uncles. He is a man to whom I looked up to my entire life beyond just what we shared as engineers. He inspired me in ways that most of you probably never knew although Anthony & I have spoken candidly of this.
You may also not know that, a few summers ago, I took a few moments after dinner, to thank your dad for all of his, generosity, sage advice and for the many insights he shared with me while we walked along those seemingly endless Brigantine beaches. And, y'know what? He quietly thanked me for thanking him - so typical of your dad's humble nature.
In the latter years of his life as he struggled against his physical limitations, I felt happy for whatever little bit of happiness and laughter Jim & I were able to bring to him in the form of conversation or occasional jokes. He was so genuinely appreciative of our efforts. Even with hislimitations, he still managed some kind and affectionate words for my young children and they. Your dad was a genuine "Ace" and that moniker extends far beyond the WWII days.
When Anthony called to tell me the other night of his passing, I tried to remain strong on the phone for him (as he had done for me when my dad passing last year). Afterwards, though, I pretty much lost it.
I will always hold among my most precious memories those of times spent with your family at the shore house, on the beaches, in the boat, watching the clams sink out of sight in that little blue boat, your parents' anniversary celebration and the laughter shared around the back porch dinner table. Your dad was always a huge part of that.
We are all fortunate to have had Uncle Russ for as long as we did and we will all miss him terribly. Still, he will live on in our hearts and I look forward to reflecting with you on our times spent with him in the years to come as I know we will surely do around that very same back porch table.
Please take whatever solace you can from knowing that you are all in our collective hearts, as well, and that we are thinking of you in your time of loss.
My love,
Cousin David
November 4, 2010
Some of my finest childhood memories were times that I spent with the Bodnyk family when they were living on Law St. in Allentown. Hanging out with Robin, trips to the shore, and the absolute childhood paradise, the family farm. My love and condolences to the family. Rick Mongilutz
Jim Davis
November 4, 2010
Mary, so sorry to hear of Russ's passing. He was a good man and a great Manager. I always enjoyed my time working for Russ. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Jim Davis
Jonathan Bodnyk
November 4, 2010
Just so all of friends and family know...Dad passed peacefully with Mom, Liz and myself at his side. He will be dearly missed by all...
The Conklin Family
Nancy Conklin
November 4, 2010
Dear Bodnyk Family....it is Nancy Nye Conklin and I just read in The Dispatch about dear Russ. My sincerest sympathy to all of you durning this difficult time. Will always remember the great times in Worthington and of course Liz our time at OSU. Life hands us many challenges. Loosing a parent is so unimaginable. I know my Mom passed away in February. Things are not the same. Think of you often Liz and while the circumstances are not ideal it was humbling to read that you are well in Florida. Hugs to all.
Nancy Conklin
[email protected]
Dolores Foley
November 4, 2010
So sorry for your loss. Russ Bodnyk was the nicest manager at GE while I was working there.
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