Bruno Bogdewic

Bruno J. Bogdewic, 92, formerly of Cokeburg died peacefully on May 10, 2018 at Strabane Woods in Washington, PA where he resided for the past few years.

Bruno was born on April 8, 1926 in Bentleyville to Stephan Bogdewic and Helen Cierebiej Bogdewic. He was a graduate of Bentleyville High School and served as senior class president.

He developed a love for music at an early age and while in high school formed and became the leader of a popular brass band. He loved to sing, was an excellent dancer, and for many years was the choir director of St. Joseph’s Church, Cokeburg where he was also a lector and served a term as president of the Holy Name Society. More recently, he was a member of St. Katharine Drexel Parish (formerly Ave Maria) where he sang in the choir into his late 80’s.

A veteran, Bruno served overseas from 1944 to 1946 with the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII. After the war, he returned home and on July 3, 1948 married the love of his life Marge Zamiska Bogdewic. The two were inseparable, traveled extensively throughout the world and enjoyed many wonderful times together in Jensen Beach, FL until her death on March 19, 2009.

In 1958 Bruno founded and was the CEO of B. Bogdewic Chevrolet which was a landmark institution in Bentleyville for over 5 decades.

Always active in church and community affairs, he served as president of the Washington County Deanery and St. Clements School PTG, was chairman of the Pigeon Creek Sanitary Authority, committee chairman for the Boy Scouts of America and Bentleyville Lions Club and served several years as chairman of the White Cane Committee. For a time, he was a member of the Chevrolet dealer’s council and American Legion Post 165 Bentleyville. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus and for many years was a member of the Nemacolin Country Club where he loved playing golf, socializing and serving as Master of Ceremonies for the annual Special Olympics outing. Despite his involvement in so many organizations and worthwhile causes he was always there for his family who came first in his life.

Bruno was an avid football fan and in the Fall his Saturday’s were spent nervously cheering for his beloved Notre Dame and Sunday’s passionately rooting for this beloved Steelers. His other great passion was fishing and he had many memorable experiences on the Atlantic Ocean, Lake Erie and numerous Canadian waters. For 42 consecutive years, he made an annual week-long fishing trip with family members primarily to Canada. He made his last trip at the age of 91.

Bruno’s trademark was the passion and determination that he invested in any venture he was involved with. His greatest talent was his ability to connect with people. Kindness, compassion and a great sense of humor were all part of his makeup and he never stopped trying to use these gifts to bring a little joy and laughter to all those he touched.

He is survived by his children, Dr. Thomas A. Bogdewic (MaryAnn) of Sewickley, Bruno L. "Chip" Bogdewic (Patty) of Beallsville and Judy Bogdewic Verno (Chuck) of Washington; seven grandchildren, T.J., Beth, Ryan, Chad and Hannah Bogdewic, Ashley Verno and Kayleigh Verno Stultz (Matt); six great-grandchildren, Shelby, Elizabeth, Victoria, Thomas, Ellie and Jonathan Bogdewic and several nieces and nephews.

Deceased are brothers, Joseph and Steve Bogdewic and sisters, Stella Magurany and Helen Hrutkay.

Friends are welcome from 1 to 4 and 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the Thompson-Marodi Funeral Home, Inc., 809 Main Street, Bentleyville, 724-239-2255, where a prayer service will be held at 9:30 a.m., Monday, May 14, 2018, followed at 10 a.m. by a Mass of Christian Burial at Saint Katharine Drexel, Bentleyville Campus (formerly Ave Maria), 126 Church Street, Bentleyville, with the Reverend Edward L. Yuhas, Administrator, Reverend Hugh Lang and Reverend Pierre Falkenhan, as con-celebrants. Interment will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery, Carroll Township.

The Knights of Columbus will pray the Rosary at 7 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, c/o Greater Pennsylvania Chapter, 3544 North Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9638 or Washington Area Humane Society, PO Box 66, Eighty Four, PA 15330.

Visit www.thompson-marodi.com to leave a condolence message, order flowers and share photos.

The staff of Strabane Woods and Gateway Hospice provided such loving care to Bruno.

To plant memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Bruno Bogdewic, please visit our flower store.

Visitation

Sunday May 13th, 2018

1:00pm - 4:00pm

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Visitation

Sunday May 13th, 2018

5:00pm - 8:00pm

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Rosary

Sunday May 13th, 2018

7:00pm

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Interment Following Funeral Service

Monday May 14th, 2018

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Mass of Christian Burial

St. Katharine Drexel - Bentleyville Campus

Monday May 14th, 2018

10:00am

126 Church Street
Bentleyville, PA 15314

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Bruno Bogdewic, please visit our floral store.