Michael Bodnarik, 67, was a retired educator.

Birth:  Sep. 27, 1917
Fords
Middlesex County
New Jersey, USA
Death:  Feb. 3, 1985
New Brunswick
Middlesex County
New Jersey, USA

1ST LT US ARMY
WORLD WAR II

Home News Tribune – February 4, 1985
Michael Bodnarik, 67, was a retired educator.

Franklin – Michael Bodnarik, 67, of Franklin Boulevard in the Somerset section died yesterday at St. Peters Medical Center, New Brunswick.

He was born in the Fords section of Woodbridge and resided in Perth Amboy before moving to Somerset in 1947. Before retiring in 1973, he had been the elementary principal of Franklin Park, Kingston and Phillips schools, for sixteen years. He had worked in a supervisory capacity at Camp Kilmer, until he began teaching at Pine Grove Manor, Franklin, in 1947.

Mr. Bodnarik was treasurer and state enrolment chairman for the Department of Elementary School Principals. He was also a member of the Schoolmasters Association. He was a graduate of Perth Amboy High School, received his bachelor's degree from Kutztown State University in 1941 and his master's degree from Rutgers University in 1947. While attending Kutztown, he was captain of their football team and was named the team's Most Valuable Player.

Mr. Bodnarik was an army veteran of World War II, serving with the chemical warfare unit. He had been a 1st lieutenant with the Third Chemical Battalion in Italy, Belgium, France and the Battle of Bulge. He was vice president of Chemical Warfare Association of the metropolitan area, was president of the Third Chemical Warfare Battalion of World War II Veterans, and belonged to Disabled American Veterans Charles Henry Chapter 17.

Mr. Bodnarik was a member of the New Jersey Commissioner of Education's Planning Committee for County Principal's Conferences, and was cited in Who's Who in American Universities and Colleges. He was an elder, treasurer, and clerk of sessions of First United Presbyterian Church of Fords for 25 years. In addition, he was organizing commander of American Legion Carla Barton Post 324, Edison, and belonged to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8025, Franklin Township, Odd Fellows Lodge, Perth Amboy, and was past president of Middlebush Rod and Gun Club. Mr. Bodnarik was treasurer of Somerset County Retired Educators, was past chairperson of the associate board of directors of Franklin State Bank, and belonged to the organizing committee of Franklin Township Little League.

In 1973, he was the recipient of a safety award by the New Jersey State Police. He was a 35-year member of Franklin Lions, served as its 12th president, was serving as secretary at the time of his death, and past had chaired and had served on all the committees of the club. In addition, he had been Lioness Liaison for four years, and was co-Lion of the year in 1982. Mr. Bodnarik was a member of the Eye and Ear Screening Lion's District 16D Foundation. He donated many hours of his time to support the Sean Willard Hope Fund Telethon, which was able to raise $85,000 for the young Franklin resident who underwent a liver transplant back in December.

Surviving Mr. Bodnarik are his wife, Lillian Tobias Bodnarik; a son, Andrew M. of Warner, NH; a daughter, Lillian Kozla of East Brunswick; a brother, John of Medford lakes; three sisters, Anna Dancsecs and Mary Stueber, both of Woodbridge, and Elizabeth Petruski of Edison; and three grandchildren.

Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, in the Fords section of Woodbridge. Contributions may be made to Lions for Deborah or to First United Presbyterian Church.