John Bodnar

It is with sadness the family of John Bodnar announce his sudden passing on April 10, 2016. John was born May 10, 1946 to Joseph and Dominia Bodnar in St Boniface Manitoba. His family moved to Ontario and resettled in Roddick Township in 1951.

John graduated from Fort Frances High School and attended college in Sault Ste. Marie. He began his career in drafting in Scarborough Ontario and in 1972 returned to Fort Frances with his wife, Edith and settled in Alberton Township. It is here that they raised their four sons. He became employed with the Ontario Minnesota Pulp and Paper Company as a draftsman and remained through the many changes of the company until his retirement in 2004 as a maintenance planner. He enjoyed the company of many great friends made while working at the mill.

John was active in the Alberton community serving as a councillor from 1981-1985 and as reeve from 1986-1991, helping to celebrate Alberton’s 100th anniversary. John took great pride in any project he undertook, from designing and building houses to fixing machinery. He always gave it his best.

John enjoyed the peace and quiet of country living and farmed until 2013 when he reluctantly sold his cattle. Fishing and hunting with his brothers and four sons were memories he cherished. For many years he looked forward to the yearly goose hunting trips to Eston, Saskatchewan where he and brother Paul had made lifelong friends. Later John enjoyed taking his young grandchildren for many golf cart rides to search for golf balls and watch the trains.

John always maintained his strong Ukrainian upbringing instilling in his own family the cultural traditions he felt important. Family was very important to John and he was very proud of his four sons, their partners and his grandchildren.

John will be sadly missed by his wife Edith (nee Hammond), his sons, Karl (Karla) of Fort Mc Murray, Alberta, Mark (Celia) of Ottawa, Ontario, Chris (Kendra) of Fort Frances and Darryl ( Cara Lee) of Airdrie, Alberta. He is also survived by nine wonderful grandchildren, Kai, Kiril, Kieran, Evelyn, Tannis, Bronson, Lincoln, Asher and Jack.

He is survived by his brothers Mike (Lillian), William (Doreen), Edward, Miron all of Fort Frances, On, Norman (Lecia) of Thunder Bay, On, sisters Annie Cain (Raymond) of Kingston, On, Olga Dawkins (Leon) of Fort Frances, On, Evelyn Myers (Frank) of Fort Frances, On and Eleanor Johanson (Steve) of Thunder Bay, On.

Also surviving are brothers-in-law Michael Hammond, Allan Hammond (Jan), Rick Hammond (Tyra), William Hammond (Karen) and sisters-in- law Lisa Pitkanen (Dave) and Cheryl Bodnar.

John will be fondly remembered by numerous nieces and nephews.

John was predeceased by his parents, Joseph and Dominia Bodnar, his brother Paul, in laws Donald and Gladys Hammond, sister-in-law Helen Bodnar, brother-in-law Dwayne Dawkins, sister-in-law Rowena Hammond, nephews Dennis and Brian Cain and niece Patty Caruk.

As per John’s wishes no service will be held. Cremation has taken place.

If desired, donations can be made in memoriam to the Fort Frances Community Chest in care of Green Funeral Home, Box 427, Fort Frances, Ontario P9A 3M8

On-line condolences may be made in care of www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com