John P. Boddie, 87, of Great Barrington died Saturday, Sept. 16, at home surrounded by his loving family.
John was born in Peekskill, New York, May 8, 1930, the son of Patrick and Anna (Dulin) Boddie. He was a graduate of the Peekskill High School class of 1948. He went on to OCS Military School at UMass and Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers School. John proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. John worked at the Rising Paper mill from 1962 to 1970, then was the tax collector for the Town of Great Barrington from 1972 to 1990 and was a former president of Massachusetts Collectors and Treasurers Association from 1987-88. He also worked for many years as a special patrolman for Great Barrington and Stockbridge, a Berkshire County deputy sheriff, and at Birches-Roy Funeral Home for many years. John also volunteered as a probation officer and at the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad where he was one of the founding members. John was a member of the Mt. Everett Knights of Columbus Council #513, a past state deputy of the Knights of Columbus Council #513 and the Bishop Conaty Assembly #395. John loved golfing and spending time with his family.
John is survived by his wife, Elizabeth A. (Atwood) Boddie, whom he married May 7, 1955, in Saint Peter’s Church in Great Barrington; four daughters: Jean Welch and husband Joe, Mary Cahill and husband Bill, Ann Brassard and significant other Andy West, and Betty Kinne; two brothers: James Boddie and Robert Boddie; six sisters: Mary Laterza, Teresa Oswald, Eileen Ryan, Sister Ann Patrick Boddie, Ellie Boddie and Katie Scarmelino; six grandchildren: Shawn, Dan, Lindsie, Victoria, Julia and Samantha; and four great-grandchildren: Emmett, Eleanor, Malcolm and Chloe. John was predeceased by two daughters: Barbara Jean Boddie and Teresa Marie Boddie; one grandson: Michael Hotaling; one great-grandson: Owen Kinne; and five brothers: Patrick Boddie, Connie Boddie, William Boddie, Harry Boddie and Mickey Boddie.
A Liturgy of Christian Burial for John will be held Thursday, Sept. 21, at 10 a.m. in St. Peter’s Church, Great Barrington, with the Rev. William P. Murphy, pastor, officiating. Burial with military honors will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday, Sept. 21, from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA 01230. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in John’s memory may be made to either HospiceCare in the Berkshires, Great Barrington Police Association or SBVAS in care of the funeral home at 33 South St., Great Barrington, MA. 01230. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
