John M. Bogazis

John M. Bogazis of Bristol passed away Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at Bristol Hospital. He was 93 years old. Son of the late Michael and Valeria (Pulcupski) Bogazis, John was born in New York City (Manhattan) on December 9, 1932. His family moved to Bristol when he was a young child, and he attended primary and secondary school in Bristol.

After graduating from Bristol High School in 1951, John joined the United States Army as a Private First Class (PFC) in 1953 and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War. During his military service, he received the Good Conduct Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

After his discharge from the Army, he returned to his position as a plumber's helper at New Departure in Bristol. He graduated from the University of Hartford in 1963 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and also received his Masters in Education from the University of Hartford in 1975. Although he enjoyed teaching, he decided to continue working for New Departure, eventually becoming a fully licensed Plumber and Pipefitter. He worked for New Departure and the Delco Chassis Division of General Motors for many years before his retirement when the plant shut down in the 1990s.

Anyone who knew John knew he was quick with a quip and loved to laugh. He also was an accomplished dancer who was known to "bust a move" when the mood struck him. It was the same with singing, and you never knew when he might break into song and impress you with his melodious voice. He enjoyed visiting the Bristol Senior Center and spending time with his friends there, as well as enjoying a cup of coffee with his friends at Wendy's in Bristol. For the last few years, he was a resident at KindCare in Bristol and made many-a-friend there.

He was a superior athlete, swimming every weekday at the Giamatti Center well into his late 80s. While in high school, he was on the football and track teams. As a discus thrower on the track team, he set the State record twice for distance, his longest throw being 139 feet, 11 inches. He also loved to golf and bowl. For years, he was part of the Duck Pin Bowling League at DiPietro's Duckpin Bowling Alley and was very proud of the trophy he won while bowling for the league.

John is survived by two nephews and their wives: Michael Bogazis of Fairfield and his wife, Carolyn Shea; and Jeffrey Bogazis of Bristol and his wife, Karen. He also leaves three nieces in California, Thais, Valerie, and Donna, as well as a grandniece, Stephanie Bogazis (husband, Derek Cody), and a great grandniece, Josephine Cody, of Burlington. He also would want to acknowledge his good friend, Phyllis Michaud of Coventry, who has survived him. He was predeceased by his brothers, Christas (and his wife, Josephine) and George, as well as his nephew, Mark Bogazis of California.

Funeral services will be held on Monday (April 13, 2026) at 11 AM at Funk Funeral Home, 35 Bellevue Ave., Bristol. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery, 522 Terryville Ave., Bristol. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Monday between 10 and 11 AM prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in John's name to Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250. Please visit John's memorial website at www.FunkFuneralHome.com.