John C. Bogucki, 102 year of age, passed way peacefully in his home on Saturday, February 25, 2017. Born in South River in 1914 he was a life long borough resident, believed to be one of the oldest.
He served in World War II in the VII Corps & the 6th Armored Division as a Hoist Operator. He participated in numerous campaigns including Ardennes- Alsace (The Battle of the Bulge), Central Europe, Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland. He is a recipient of the American Service Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Victory Medal and the Honorable Service Lapel Pin. His division was the first on site after the liberation of the concentration camp at Buchenwald on April 11,1945.
After the war he worked as a crane operator & engineer for different companies but made a career with Buck Bros. Inc Trucking & Evacuating. He dug the foundation on various overpasses along Route 18 as well as the footings for the Verrazano Narrows Bridge. He graded numerous oil tanks along the NJ Turnpike, and single handedly leveled the sand pit on River Road which allowed for the building of hundreds of homes in East Brunswick.
John was an avid hunter who was a founding member of the Evergreen Rod & Gun Club. He enjoyed fishing with his friend Dr. Joseph Pilecki in his retirement. While, he never married, he shared a very special companionship with Edna Lepucki. They traveled together throughout the United States.
His greatest pride was the home he designed, built and lived in with his sister Mary & her husband. He helped to raise his nieces Gail & Sandra & great nieces Laura, Stephanie & Alison. He was a member of the St. Mary’s Holy Name Society, The Veterans of Foreign Wars & the Operating Engineers Local 825.
He is predeceased by his parents, Margaret & Gregory Bogucki, his sisters Mary Bastkowski, Agnes Smykay & Emily Gibus, his brother Al Cochran & his long-time companion Edna Lepucki. Surviving is his nice Gail Trippodi & her husband Richard Johnson of South River, his great-nieces Laura Trippodi of South River & Stephanie Bara, her husband Brett & their children Mary Katherine and Thomas Grady of Staten Island. Also surviving, his niece Sandra Denarski & her husband Tony of Crosswicks and his great-niece Alison Denarski of Hamilton. As well as many other nieces & nephews.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, 8:30am from the Maliszewski Funeral Home, 218 Whitehead Avenue, South River followed by a 9am Mass at Saint Mary of Ostrabrama R. C. Church in South River with burial to follow at Saint Mary's Cemetery, East Brunswick.
Calling hours at the funeral home will be Wednesday from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm. The family has requested that donations in John’s memory be made to Saint Mary of Ostrabrama Building Fund. Letters of condolence, directions and completed arrangements may be found at www.maliszewskimemorialhome.com