William R. Bodkin, 69 of Little Egg Harbor, NJ passed away on Thursday July 7, 2011 at AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, in Pomona, NJ.
Born in the Bronx, NY, Bill lived in Manhattan, Hackensack, NJ and North Edison, NJ before moving to Little Egg Harbor one year ago. He was a faithful member of St. Theresa’s Church, Little Egg Harbor. He was a proud Marine Corp. veteran and spent his life’s work excelling in the the computer industry. His passions in life, outside of his family and friends were: listening to Doo-Wop music, reading historical fiction, and watching his beloved New York Giants, Yankees, Knicks and Rangers.
He is survived by his beloved wife of 32 ½ years Doris Bodkin, son Bill Bodkin and wife Sue of Matawan, NJ, brother Jim Bodkin and wife Ginny of St. Pete, FL, sister Lou Ellen Crowley of the Bronx, nephews Matthew, Andrew, Daniel and Rick and nieces Marisa and Julie.
Viewing hours will be held on Sunday July 10, 2011 from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm and Monday July 11 from 8 to 9am at Maxwell Funeral Home 160 Mathistown Rd Little Egg Harbor, NJ 08087. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday July 11 at 9:30am at St. Theresa’s R.C. Church, Little Egg Harbor, followed by burial at George Washington Memorial Park, Paramus. For driving directions or to send condolences please go to www.maxwellfuneralhome.com.
Please make donations to the American Lung Association at www.lungusa.org
I (Tom) worked with Bill as an outside contractor in the mid 80′s at Putnam. It was a difficult 2 years and Bill did his best to make it a pleasnt project. He was always careful to treat everyone with kindness and respect. We had many hard discussions about the changes required and reached conclusions based on good Christian Values. I was impressed at his approach and his willingness to deal with everyone in a loving manner. Over the years, we have kept in touch and I enjoyed the e-mails, ( even if they were numerous)and the phone calls. It has been many years since we have seen each other, but it seems like yesterday. I will miss him and Barb enjoyed talking with him when he called. There were times I had to ask to speak with him they gabbed so much. Doris, take care. Not everyone can be called a nice guy, but Bill was.
My thoughts and prayers are with you Doris and Billy. Love, Don and Mary-Ellen, Donny, Joe and Megan Conry
Our deepest Sympathies go to you and your family in this time of sorrow. Bill was one of a kind. He was my mentor, confidant and dear friend. He will be missed greatly. But we find solace in knowing he is in a better place. May god bless you during this difficult time.
The Moore’s: Duane, Lynn and Luke
My fondest memory of Mr. Bodkin (how I’ll always refer to him) was when he took me, his son Bill, and a few other friends to a professional wrestling match in Philadelphia. My own father would not do something so “out of the box” for me, so having Bill’s dad be so generous to spend the night with a bunch of teenagers in a smoke filled arena while guys in tights beat each other up was a memory I’ll never forget, and a memory I’d never have without the help of Mr. Bodkin.
I knew Mr. B from my time in the St. Joe’s plays before that, when I’d see him and his wife, Doris, an incredible mom, so nice, making their rounds at the theater and backstage. I got to see both of them at Bill’s wedding, a treat for me, as I had not seen them both in years, and Mr. and Mrs. Bodkin greeted me like time wasn’t lost at all. They were an incredible family, the Bodkins, and Mr. Bodkin’s passing severely affected me and my family, as we got to know Mr. Bodkin, Doris, and Bill throughout the years from when we first met them. They definitely were three people who had such a positive, powerful impact on me, my mom, and my dad.
On a final note, Bill has been a friend among friends to yours truly, he has done so many things for me, one of which was bringing me on to write for an internet blog he founded featuring pop culture articles. Mr. Bodkin, regardless of whether he knew the content of the piece online on the site or not, would comment on almost every blog written, including my own. That just goes to show how much of a caring person he was in one regard. Even if he didn’t know what you were talking about, he’d still take the time to listen and/or read. He shall remain in my prayers along with his family, as he truly was an incredible person that I was so honored in being able to know.
All my love and care,
Logan J. Fowler