Joseph Bogonian

Joseph Bogonian, 92, Co. Rt. 3, Clayton, passed away at his home on Wednesday evening, March 19, 2014.

A funeral mass will be at St. John's Catholic Church, LaFargeville on Saturday, March 29, at 11AM with a repast to follow in the church hall. Arrangements are with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. There will be no calling hours.

Joe was born in Binghamton on March 22, 1921, son of Charles and Mary Fedorko Bogonian and he attended local schools. He served in the US Navy during World War II.

His beloved wife, Sarah May Boydell, died in 1993. In 1994 he moved to Clayton.

He was a plant manager for Pittsburg Metal & Equipment Co., Jersey City, NJ. Joe was a communicant of St. John's Church. He was the driver of the transportation bus for the Paynter Senior Center and was active with Meals on Wheels.

For 35 years he was a member of the Oakland Fire Dept., Oakland, NJ where he developed the Search and Rescue Team. He was a current member of the Fishers Landing Fire Dept. and its scuba team. Joe was a proud member of Jefferson County's Special Tactics and Rescue (STAR) diving team, and he received the NYS Diver of the Year award. He was a former member of the Clayton Lions Club. In October 2013 he was on an Honor Flight for WWII veterans to Washington, DC that was organized by the American Legion. His kind and generous nature made an impact on everyone he met.

Mr. Bogonian is survived by his two daughters, Joyce D Cole and husband, Richard E., Holmdel, NJ and Gail B. Doscher and companion, Tom O'Brien, Mahwah, NJ; two grandchildren and two great grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Michael, Jim, and Paula Bugonian; and his dear friends, Rose Reff and Jerry Spears.

Donations in his name may be made to the Paynter Senior Center, 914 Strawberry Lane, Clayton, NY 13624. Online condolences to the family may be made at www.cummingsfuneral.com.

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