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Life Story for John J. Bodor

John Bodor loses battle with cancer
By Eric Gross

John Bodor was dedicated to the emergency services community—a man whose desire to keep Putnam County safe resulted in his teaching tens of thousands of elementary school children the ‘do’s’ and ‘don’ts’ of fire safety.
Bodor, 74, passed away Tuesday after losing a valiant battle against cancer with his wife and family by his side.
Bodor was born in Brooklyn on Nov. 8, 1941, the only child to Antoinette and John L. Bodor. He married the love of his life, Mary, on July 14, 1968 and over the next 47 years the couple was blessed with two daughters, Elena and Tamara, two sons-in-law, Michael Jacobs and Thomas Dilworth and two grandchildren—Casidy and Lilah Jacobs.
Bodor was a graduate of St. Mary’s High School in Katonah, the State University of New York—College at New Paltz and the Pratt Institute.
He taught for 35 years in the Ossining School District but in Putnam County, Bodor’s dedication to the emergency services community set him on a high pedestal.
A member of the Patterson Fire Department for 47 years, Bodor became the department’s Fire Prevention Officer and each year educated scores of boys and girls about fire safety.
He received the Patterson FD Chief’s Award in 2010 and was most proud of his recognition with the Michael Neuner Fire Prevention Medal of Honor presented to him before members of the Putnam County Legislature in 2012.
Bodor served as Captain of the Putnam County Fire Police Response Team as well as Lieutenant with the Patterson FD Fire Police unit. He was also President of the Putnam-Northern Westchester Fire Police Association for 31 years being honored as the Hudson Valley Fire Police Officer of the Year in 2003.
Bodor was also an avid hunter serving as a New York State safety instructor for 45 years. John was a member of numerous hunting organizations both locally and regionally in addition to the Patterson Historical Society, Putnam Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police and the Putnam County Sheriff’s Dept. Honor Corps.
Mary Bodor recalled her husband’s love for turkey, deer and pleasant hunting: “John always had a highly trained bird dog which he trained himself. I will always recall John’s sharing his love for the out-of-doors and conservation with others.”
His daughter Elena reminisced about the Bodor family farm which “Dad lovingly called ‘Backache Farm.’ Preparations began with seed ordering late in the winter and continued through spring when he began cultivating seeds often in our home. An abundance of organically grown vegetables were produced and harvested every year often making their way to not only our family’s dinner table but the tables of friends all over town. When people would visit during the summer or early fall dad often had a ‘special on something’ always offering guests a bag full. The best tomatoes in Patterson were grown in that garden.”
Daughter Tamara remembered her dad as a “history buff. Family summer vacations—even those of long distance were done via car. Our trips always consisted of educational experiences whether it was checking out warships, colonial villages or Native American museums. Dad found it fascinating. One year we even visited a duck decoy museum!”
While John’s love was for his family and community, his emergency services dedication will be missed for future generations.
Bodor’s credo was simple: “I was available and help was needed. I responded whenever I could,” he told this reporter days before he passed away.
Sheriff Don Smith described Bodor as a “man whose life was dedicated to serving others.”
Retired Matthew Paterson Elementary School teacher Joe Minella recalled the “delight in our children’s eyes when John arrived each fall on the Patterson fire truck. He was so knowledgeable and interacted so well with the boys and girls on all grade levels.”
A funeral service is planned for Saturday at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Church in Pawling. Calling hours will be held Friday from 1-3 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. at the Dwyer Funeral Home in Patterson.
The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made in John’s memory to the Putnam County Humane Society.

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