George G. Bodnar, 70

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — George Gerald Bodnar, 70, of Roberta Road died Monday, May 23, 2016 at Albany Medical Center.

He was born in McKeesport, Penn., on January 7, 1946, the son of the late George S. and Elizabeth Lesso Bodnar. He was educated in McKeesport area public schools and was a 1963 graduate of McKeesport High School. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1967.

Upon graduation from college, Mr. Bodnar moved to Pittsfield, where he worked for General Electric Aerospace as a Field Service Engineer. Throughout the company's progressions of Martin Marietta, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics, his roles included, Systems Engineer, Technical Manager, Engineering Manager, Program Manager and Chief Engineer.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Bodnar's contributions to various projects took him all over the country; Boston; Aberdeen, Md.; Washington, D.C.; and Kings Bay, Ga., to name a few. Mr. Bodnar loyally gave 44 years of service to the Pittsfield company and retired in 2011.

George had many passions and hobbies. He was an outdoor enthusiast and loved to hike, camp, ski and snowshoe. He is credited by his loved ones as introducing them to the joys of outdoor winter camping. He enjoyed travel (both personal and work related) as well as photography. He had a passion for ham radio and model trains, and was a licensed pilot. Above all, his true love was being an ever-present and compassionate husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He was a communicant of St. Mark Church.

George married the former Helen "Cindy" Rupinski on July 4, 1980, in Pittsfield.

Besides his wife Cindy, George is survived by his daughter Karen (and John) Sinopoli of Pittsfield; his son Mark (and Lauren) Bodnar of Boston; two grandchildren, Dylan and Leah Sinopoli; his sister Irene (and Richard) Mathews of Boston, Pa.; two sisters-in-law: Margaret Dodge and Maureen Neff; and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by his sister, Carol Bodnar.

Funeral notice: Calling hours will be Sunday, May 29, 2016, at the Dery Funeral Home, 54 Bradford St., Pittsfield, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Liturgy of Christian Burial will be held Monday, May 30, at 9:30 a.m. at St. Mark Church, with Rev. John A. Salatino, pastor, officiating.

Burial will be at a later date. Memorial donations may be made to Appalachian Trail Conservancy in care of the funeral home.