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. 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.”
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 23 South St, in Patterson. The family has requested in lieu of flowers, donations be made in John’s memory to the Putnam County Humane Society.
PHOTO BY SHARON BOO
John Bodor is now teaching fire safety in heaven. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/lohud/obituary.aspx?n=John-Bodor&pid=177690474#sthash.vG7qMDHm.dpuf
