Joseph Bodnar

Joseph A. Bodnar of Broadview Heights, formerly residing in Cuyahoga Falls, peacefully passed away on August 31st, 2021, following prolonged health issues. Born in Cleveland on September 24, 1946 to Joseph and Gertrude Bodnar (deceased), Joe was a 1964 Olmsted Falls High School graduate, three varsity sport athlete, and Senior Class Vice President. Joe was a mentor to young people, which began with his position as a house parent at Summit County Children's Home, where he worked for five years.

Joe owned and operated a successful business, Pop-n-Brew Drive Thru, in Cuyahoga Falls for over 25 years. During that time, he employed many college-age students whom he mentored to be successful adults.

Coaching was a big part of Joe's life. Joe first started coaching as an 18-year-old for an Olmsted Falls Little League Baseball team. He later coached for the Cuyahoga Falls Little Black Tigers Youth Football League. Joe coached for 25 years for Archbishop Hoban High School's football and track programs. Joe was the head freshman football coach, varsity offensive line coach, and the throwing coaching for the track and field squad.

Joe inspired all the athletes he coached: the freshmen came to Coach Bodnar as kids and left as young men/women. Joe was tough on all his athletes, but always wanted them to succeed. Joe had a heart of gold and would be the one to give shoes to athletes if they were in need. Any football player that was coached under Joe could never forget his infamous halftime speeches.

In addition to coaching, Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, and spending time with his family at Fripp Island and Gettysburg. Sunday drives were always a weekend activity that Joe enjoyed with his wife Kay.

Always surrounded by Catholic family members, Joe felt a calling in 2015 to be baptized into the Catholic faith.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Gertrude Bodnar, brother Jeffrey, in-laws Edmund and Kathleen Ostroski, and brothers-in-law Chuck Mayrose and Mark Ostroski, and niece Chelsie Huber. Joe is survived by his wife of 51 years Mary Kay (Ostroski) Bodnar, daughter Heather (John) Schober and son Joe (Nicole) Bodnar, grandchildren Natalie and Nick Schober and sister Carol Mayrose. Additionally, he leaves behind a host of Ostroski brothers and sister-in laws, nieces and nephews, and a host of Bodnar, Considine, Ostroski, Fox, Hanwell, and Gelhar cousins.

A special thank you to Sam, Kim, and Jen from Griswold Homecare, Anne and Kristin from Brookdale Homecare, Akron General Hematology/Oncology Caregivers, and Hospice of the Western Reserve.

The family will receive friends Monday, September 6, 2021 from 2 to 5 p.m. at Hummel Funeral Home, 500 E. Exchange St., Akron. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, September 7, 2021, at 11 a.m., at Blessed Trinity Catholic Church (formerly St. Martha), 300 E. Tallmadge Ave., Akron.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made to general scholarship funds at Archbishop Hoban High School or Walsh Jesuit High School in Joe Bodnar's name.