WILMINGTON, MA — Michael Bodnar, Jr., “Mike”, age 78, a life-long resident of Wilmington, passed away on December 6, 2019, at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington.
Mike was born on March 29, 1941, in Malden, MA; he was the dear son of the late Michael and Julia (Shanniak) Bodnar. Mike was raised and educated in Wilmington and a graduate of Wilmington High School.
Mike was a devoted dad to his daughters Ashley and Larissa; he was so proud of “his girls”. A little more than a year ago he became a “Grampa” to Jayson Michael and he couldn’t have been more thrilled with that little boy. Mike loved his family with all his heart and would do anything to make them happy.
Mike was a carpenter by trade and worked in the construction business for many years. He was a “Mr. Fix It” and could do just about anything from building to electrical to plumbing and he was always willing to lend a hand or fix a problem for anyone.
Mike was known to be a “creature of habit”; it started every morning with his trip to Dunkin Donuts in Lucci’s Plaza with his faithful companion, his dog Callie; they would hang out and have a Jelly Donut with his “Dunkins Crew” to shoot the breeze, talk about current events, town business and politics. Mike could also be found on many days helping out at the Salvation Army Store, tending to his gardens, “puttering” around the house/yard and then heading out on Mondays to “guys night out” at Steve Trites shop in Reading. Mike loved his beach days at Cranes Beach with his two daughters where he enjoyed long walks in the sand, going to engine shows with boys and his daughter Larissa, road trips with his girls, and marching with the Wilmington Minuteman in countless parades throughout the years.
Mike will be fondly remembered for his outgoing, friendly, kind and jolly personality; he was always going out of his way to help anyone and never expected anything in return. Mike was truly a wonderful guy who left his Imprint on everyone he met; He will be greatly missed by all who loved him.
Mike is survived by his beloved daughters Ashley “Pumpkin” Bodnar & her husband Julian McClain of Southborough, Larissa “Bookie Bear” Bodnar of Tewksbury and their mother Cheryl Ryan & her husband Wes. He was the loving “Grampa” of Jayson Michael McClain, cherished son of the late Michael and Julia Bodnar, dear brother of Ronald Bodnar & his wife Joanne of Freedom, NH, “Uncle Mike” to Eric “Derek” Ryan and Zachary Fuller. Mike is also survived by his beloved dog and faithful companion Callie, his life-long friends Earl Hupper of Wilmington and Steven Trites of Reading as well as many good friends.
Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, December 12th from 3:00-7:00 p.m. in the Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington. Mike’s Funeral Service will take place at the Funeral Home on Friday, December 13th at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment in Wildwood Cemetery, Wilmington.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Michael Bodnar Funeral Services GoFundMe page.
(NOTE: The above obituary is from Nichols Funeral Home.)
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