Gerard M. “Gerry” Bojda, 56, of Easton, (Forks Twp.), PA died Sunday, June 9, 2013 in Lehigh Valley Hospital-Muhlenberg after a battle with malignant melanoma.
Born: January 29, 1957 in Detroit, MI he was a son of Dolores (Okon) Bojda of West Branch, MI and the late Anthony Bojda.
Personal: He had been employed by Johnson & Johnson in El Paso, TX and in NJ from 1993 until his diagnosis in March. Prior to that he had been employed by Honeywell Corp. from 1980 to 1993. He was a graduate of Lake Superior State University with a BS in Electrical Engineering and he received his MBA from the University of Texas, El Paso.
Memberships: He attended the Cornerstone Ev. Free Church, Easton and was a member of the Forks Fitness Club.
Survivors: His mother: Dolores; his wife of 31 years: the former Mary McClure; three sons: Nicholas M. of Philadelphia; Ryan A. of Bethlehem; Kyle C. of Forks Twp.; two brothers: Phillip and his wife Dawn of Barton City, MI; Gregory and his wife Connie of Westland, MI; and sister: Janet LeBlanc and her husband Larry of Surprise, AZ.
Services: 10:30 a.m. Friday (6/14) in Cornerstone Ev. Free Church, 411 March Street, Easton, with visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday in the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton. Interment will be in Forks Cemetery.
Memorial Contributions: May be made to LVH –Muhlenberg Cancer Fund, c/o Lehigh Valley Hospital Development Department, P.O. Box 689, Allentown, PA 18105.
Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.
Merlyn & Lilah Smith
June 10, 2013 at 8:49 pm
Gerry came to our house when he was a very young man. He was very well mannered and fit in just like he was a Smith. We had a lot of good times with Gerry, and will be in our prayers and hearts forever.We want to offer his family our deepest condolences
Veronica G. Auger
June 10, 2013 at 9:12 pm
I worked with Gerry for the past 5 years and he was a great person to work with and a good friend. He was a very hard worker and respected by all. He lived everyday to the fullest and never had a harsh word to say about anyone. He might be gone but he will not be forgotten.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Veronica Auger
Merle
June 10, 2013 at 9:27 pm
To the family of Gerry
All of you are in my prayers. Gerry was my best friend growing up. When we first meet we had a little fight. then we became the best of friends. We sometimes would not talk for a couple of years but when we got together it was like we never lost a beat. He was a good man.He is under GODS wing now and not in no more pain. God bless the family for I have know them all since 1968 45 years.
Merle
Mike & Merlene Vasher
June 11, 2013 at 10:11 am
Bodja Family
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Gerry
will be greatly missed. He will be always remembered and never forgotten.
Mike and Merlene
Milton T. Mohr
June 11, 2013 at 12:19 pm
May you find comfort and compassion during this time of transition through my following prayer to our blessed Lord: “Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, eternal source of all comfort and compassion, thank You for the soul of Gerry Bojda and Your Love shone through his soul during his earthly sojourn. I humbly ask You to touch the souls of his family and community with salvation, comfort, and strength through the loving ministry of Your Son Jesus Christ during this of Gerry’s transition to Your Presence. I also ask You to anoint their souls with the oil of compassion through the ministry of Your Holy Spirit as they adjust to Gerry’s absence during the remainder of their earthly sojourns. It is in the name of Jesus I pray.
**I am a member of Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church in Easton.
Mary Jo Gentry
June 11, 2013 at 12:30 pm
Mary,
I’m so sorry to hear this news. Gerry was a joy to work with. He always had a smile on his face and a hand to lend. Our prayers are with your family.
David Kudla
June 11, 2013 at 2:44 pm
I’m so very sorry to hear about you loss. I lived on the next street over From Gerry In Roseville. We graduated from Roseville High together. He was not only a great friend but truly a great guy. I pray that the Lord be with you all and bless you in your time of need. God Bless always in Christ.
Dave Kudla
Tim and Joan Cumings
June 12, 2013 at 10:09 am
We have so many good memories of Gerry. He always made his long lost relatives (us) feel at home when ever we came to visit you all in the different places you lived around the country. He took time out of his busy schedule to fix us a fantastic meal and chat. He really spoiled us. We are so glad that we have the wonderful memories of the sibling’s visit to Ireland. We will miss him and it is difficult for us to grasp the fact that he is gone. We know that he is in a better place with no more pain. His smile is even bigger now We love you Mary, Nick, Ryan and Kyle. We are praying for you often. Are prayers and condolences are for the rest of the family as well.
Joan and Tim (sister, brother-in-law, aunt and uncle)
Phil Auld
June 12, 2013 at 4:46 pm
My heart felt condolences to the Bodja family during this difficult time. I knew Gerry when he worked for Honeywell in Freeport, IL. Gerry, Mary, my wife, Norm & Nancy and several other friends would go camping and canoeing in Wisconsin and we had a blast. We had some good times back then. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mary.
Dan Corbet
June 12, 2013 at 11:07 pm
Dear Gerry:
My eyes filled with tears and my knees buckled when I heard the news. I’m not sure what to write, but let me start by saying to you:
Thank You, Gerry. Thank you for:
making my childhood and the rest of my life better;
letting me hang out with you in grade school, middle school and high school;
sharing your family with me (Tony, Delores, Phil, Greg and Janet – and Heidi);
taking me to your Ogemaw Lake cottage;
leading me to Macomb Community College;
leading me to the UP to finish college.
You were the leader of our Roseville group of guys which began at Sacred Heart – 5th grade I think. Your friends were many and included Merlyn Smith, Tim Carroll, Jim Barbati, Mike Duffey, Chris Dinverno, and more. Others joined your group after Sacred Heart closed and you went to Roseville High School. There was Dennis Mack, Ray LaFrance, John Thorp, David Kudla, and more.
You were fast and strong, but humble and generous. You were never a bully. You were naturally funny, in school and out. You had that green 1967 Dodge Polaris that we were always working on. I have so many great memories. We all eventually went our separate ways but almost all of us kept in touch with you over the last 35 years.
I wonder if Mary and your sons realize what a great legacy you left in Roseville from your youth. They should have no doubts. And I have no doubts that you are leaving a similar great legacy with them.
I miss you Gerry, I hope to meet again someday when it is my turn.
Sincerely,
Your best man,
Dan Corbet
The Baltz Family
June 13, 2013 at 7:13 am
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. We’re so sorry to learn of your loss.
Kristi McClure
June 13, 2013 at 1:12 pm
Thinking about my Uncle Gerry today and the Bojda family. Wishing you the strength to get through these tough times and the ability to enjoy remembering all of the wonderful memories Uncle Gerry helped all of us create.
Kelly McClure
June 13, 2013 at 7:49 pm
My thoughts and deepest prayers have been focused with the entire Bojda family this week and for weeks to come. Praying for strength and understanding for you all during this difficult time. It is so difficult not to be with you guys to celebrate his wonderful life. I must admit, just thinking of his enthusiasm, smile, laughter, and his mustache (ha!) put an instant smile on my face! He truly was an amazing man, and I am thankful for the time that he was able to spend with us because he made each day an adventure 🙂
Paul Wagner
June 13, 2013 at 9:33 pm
It’s been years since the last time I talked with Gerry. I went to school with him at Sacred Heart and also at Roseville High School. Although I was not a close friend with Gerry, I do have many fond memories of him. He was a humble person who made you feel special. I lost touch with him after high school however it was great to see his many accomplishments including having a loving family. God bless you Gerry!
Your friend,
Paul
Ted Amrein
June 14, 2013 at 2:47 pm
To the Bojda Family:
I am very sorry to hear about your loss. My deepest sympathy to all. I worked with Gerry at Cordis in Warren, NJ. It was always a pleasure working on projects with Gerry, he will certainly be missed.
dottie
June 22, 2013 at 4:39 pm
I am so sorry for your loss.
Matthew Krever
June 30, 2013 at 9:28 pm
Gerry,
You will be greatly missed by all who knew you. You were one of the good ones. Hard working, ethical, practical and good natured. It was a pleasure working with you for more than 7 years at Cordis. I knew we’d do good if you were on the team.
I also know how much you loved your family. Your boys were your pride and joy. I am certain they will carry on your fine spirit as they continue on into manhood.
I am so saddened to have lost you.
I wish the best for your family as they cope with this loss.
The world has lost a good soul, but heaven has gained one more. And, you’ve left a wonderful legacy here for which we are the better.
Fondly,
Matt