Hey guys I know a lot of you know my dad. He has been dealing with a disease of the brain that has slowly zapped the zest and life out of him and on October 5 2009 after saying good bye to all his family members he took one last breath and fell asleep. Below is the tribute that will be read at the memorial service this afternoon.A Tribute To Al BodoloskyAl Bodolosky, some called him dad, some called him grandpop, one called him dear and many called him Uncle Albie. When he walked into a room, his presence would brighten the darkest mood. People loved him and loved to be around him. Where he was, there were always smiles and laughter. He loved people and loved to make them happy.Al was known to bring strangers home. If you needed a meal or a place to stay for the night, Al and Mary would be more than happy to fill your belly and give you a pillow, blanket, and a soft place to lie. He showed compassion for those less fortunate and had compassion for people in general.Al truly loved children – just ask his grandchildren. But his love for children goes way back. When his children were growing up, friends always felt accepted in their home. In recent years, his grandkids looked forward to his visits, games, stories, and songs. His stories often had a moral point. He taught them songs they still sing today. He would spend hours engrossed in imaginative activities with his grandchildren.Holidays were always a big deal at the Bodolosky house. One year when the town imposed a curfew for Halloween, Al decided to throw a party for the neighborhood kids in his basement. He and Mary decorated the basement, planned fun activities, party games, and apple bobbing. During the holidays, he organized hay rides and gathered the neighborhood kids to sing holiday carols. Yes, he loved children and the children adored him.When he got into the Way Ministry, holiday times were now also spent with an extended family. No one in our fellowship would spend the holiday alone if it were up to him.His favorite holiday was always Thanksgiving because it was about family. It wasn’t about receiving gifts, it was about being together and being thankful. He used these times to instill thankfulness into his children and those around him. Today in honor of his favorite holiday, we will share a Thanksgiving meal together.As his children, some of our fondest memories came from Sunday drives in the country. He would teach us songs, how to sing, how to harmonize and blend our voices together. He would take us on adventures outdoors; hiking, exploring, and teaching. He taught us what berries were edible and which were not. He taught us about wildlife and plant life and instilled in us a love for God’s creation.He loved music and that showed in how he taught himself to play the accordion, guitar, harmonica, and some piano.Al did not believe the words, “I can’t.” He would always say, “If you say you can’t then you can’t” and “You can do anything you want to if you put your mind to it and put in the work.” His life was a testament to the “I can do attitude.” He built his own business from scratch, becoming a successful businessman and providing excellent customer service. He always went above and beyond to get the job done and do it right. When he became involved in the Way Ministry, before completing the prerequisites, he coordinated a branch of 5 fellowships that grew into 14. He showed such great leadership ability that he served as the Vice-President for the Way of New Jersey.A theme that has been coursing through this tribute to Al’s life is that of a teacher. He taught his children to sing, taught about wild life, taught the Word wherever he went, taught compassion and thankfulness. He also loved to teach sports. He was an accomplished athlete in his youth and he spent hours imparting that knowledge to others. He was the founder of the Hamilton Township Recreation Baseball Association in New Jersey. This league saw great success and his children all played baseball on one of the teams he established. He combined his go-getter attitude, love for sports, his tremendous propensity for teaching and his love for children to establish a successful organization that many believed would never get off the ground.Worshipping God was always of great importance to Al and to the best of his ability, made sure he taught his family to worship to the best of their ability. Not only did he always teach God’s Word wherever he went, to whomever he met, he taught principles and lessons of life, such as, showing up ten minutes early for an interview, job, or meeting; being honest and truthful; and putting yourself in another’s shoes before judging them.Al was inventive and resourceful. He designed and built bunk beds, in part to accommodate the people he extended a place to lay their heads. When James was in kindergarten, an accident left him in a body cast. Al’s mind went to work and he built a little cart that James could lay on and push himself around the house. If there was a problem to solve, Al could find a solution and didn’t rest until it was realized. He developed a heavy, hard rubber ball to help baseball pitchers develop their pitching; then someone came out with the Superball. He thought up and played a strategic battle game on paper where you would guess the location of enemy vessels; then Battleship came out on the market. He often wondered why he didn’t take his ideas and mass market them, but they were for the enjoyment of himself and those around him and he was content with his life.Al had a zest for life; the ultimate people person with an infectious personality. When it came to blessing people, for him, life was a party and he was the host. Yet, when the Lord called him to action, he responded by doing the best he could regardless of what people thought.Al Bodolosky – believer, disciple, husband, father, brother, teacher, giver, light-hearted minister.
I, too, am sorry to hear about your Dad. Though I did not know him, it is clear that he was a good man and and awesome parent. I am glad he got to say goodbye to his loved ones in such a beautiful manner.
Every day I realize more and more the brevity of this life. Looks like your Dad lived it to its fullest. I love the funny face picture.
Here are your pictures of your Dad in a visual format in this post.
My warm memories of our time in Trenton is humbling, being part of a great work of our Lord Jesus Christ - with Al and your family right in the middle of it. What a wonderful time sharing in God's goodness and seeing great miracles come to pass.
Please give my love and regards to your Mom and family. You are all in my heart and prayers. If someone else had fallen asleep and Al was there, I can't help but think that he would be the one reminding us of Christ's joyful return.
So sorry to hear this Holly, Al was one of a kind, I still share his stories with folks around here. Our condolences to you and yours ! Until the return, Greg Boswell and family
God bless the family. He was a great man and his example was a great one. Let us all be resourceful and thankful, believing God's Word to the end, just like Mr. Bodolosky!
All the days of the afflicted are evil; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast (party). Proverbs 15:15
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Every day I realize more and more the brevity of this life. Looks like your Dad lived it to its fullest. I love the funny face picture.
Here are your pictures of your Dad in a visual format in this post.
I am so sorry to hear of your loss.
My warm memories of our time in Trenton is humbling, being part of a great work of our Lord Jesus Christ - with Al and your family right in the middle of it. What a wonderful time sharing in God's goodness and seeing great miracles come to pass.
Please give my love and regards to your Mom and family. You are all in my heart and prayers. If someone else had fallen asleep and Al was there, I can't help but think that he would be the one reminding us of Christ's joyful return.
Rob & Cheryl Williams
All the days of the afflicted are evil; but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast (party). Proverbs 15:15