Tribute to Jeff written by Doug Fay

I can remember it as though it was yesterday. In September of 1963, I was 7 years old. On the first day of 2nd grade, I sat at my newly assigned desk and directly to my left was this new little kid who wasn't around for my kindergarten or 1st grade days. By the time the recess bell summoned us off the playground I knew I had just met my best friend for life. For the next 53 years, we went through it all together. He was my little bud whose nickname became "Bubs" Bodack or just "Bubs." Beginning in 6th grade, our school's strategy was to place kids of similar comprehension levels in all the same classes. Bubs and I came very close to not being placed together in 6B. See, he just missed being with the brainiacs in 6A and I was one IQ point from being in 6C. So, in our 6B class, Bubs was always much smarter than me. No matter how hard I tried, that little SOB always got better grades than me. And that's the way it was for 7-2, 8-2, 9-2, 10-2, 11-2 and 12-2. And that's the way it continued right up to yesterday when he graduated from this life to the next. It is the first time that little s*** won't be sitting next to me. After a very long and wonderful run, it will be the first time I will not be able to see, hear or hug him. At the end of whatever the heck we'd do together, he'd always wave his short stubby fingers towards himself and say "come'er you big lug" and he would hug me and tell me he loved me and I would always say, "I love you too Jeff.". Early yesterday morning at the hospital, Bob Oxley and I hugged our best buddy Jeff together for the last time. We hugged a little extra for Jude, the 4th member of our best friends posse that formed way back in our school days. Though physically far away in Arizona, Jude was in there with us feeling the same intense pain. The three of us thank the Lord that we were blessed with Jeff's friendship. I will miss his wit, his laughter, and his smile. But most of all, I will miss his unfailing, loyal and sincere friendship. Jeff, if you are over my shoulder reading this right now, let me look back to tell you that I love you. We were friends to the end for sure. Rest assured your three best friends are at peace because each of us knows the last time we were together we ended with a big hug and said we loved each other -- you always made sure of that. And know that our friendship does not end here. As you would have done for us, we are going to stand guard over Becky, Jonathan, Zach and Becky. They are part of us and always with be. Though it will not be the same without you, we will come to your home on Sunday to enjoy the St. Patricks Day parade as we've done so many times before. Our buddy Mark Bradbury is going to cook the corned beef and cabbage you bought and your daughter-in-law Becky is going to give it her best shot to make your famous chili. And I promise for the first time ever that I will not catch you off guard and flip up my kilt -- Boy that used to piss you off. And, for the rest of my life on St. Paddy's Day I will do a toast and shot of Jack Daniel's in your honor. You were the best Hungarian Irishman I ever knew! But now it is time for you to go -- Bob, Jude and I will create a divergence so you can quick sneak away into the clouds before the devil knows you're gone. Until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand. Farewell my best friend, I will never, ever forget you.

Jeffrey P. Bodack, 60, of Allentown, passed away Thursday, March 16, 2017 in St. Luke's Hospital. He and his wife, Becky Ann (Howard), would have celebrated their 2nd anniversary in April. Born in Allentown on November 12, 1956, he was a son of the late Thomas A. and Evelyn E. (Unangst) Bodack. He was a 1974 graduate of Salisbury High School and a Navy veteran. Survivors: wife; sons, Zach and wife, Becky, Jonathan; sister, Anita Smith and husband, David; niece, Caitlyn. Brother, Anthony, preceded him in death.