Jerome J. Boda
Jerome (Jerry) Joseph Boda,
of Fond du Lac, passed away at home on Wednesday, October 16, 2019 after a
battle with cancer. Jerry was born
October 18, 1941 to Lawrence (Bud) and Ruth (Templin) Boda. He attended Goodrich High School where he
played football and pole vaulted. Jerry
loved boxing and was a member of the Golden Gloves Boxing League. In 1959, Jerry enlisted in the United States
Army and was stationed in Germany until 1964.
Upon
returning from the Army, Jerry began his career as a butcher at Buehler’s
Butcher Shop. Jerry’s passion to teach
and help people led him to Lauer’s Food Mart.
There he mentored employees on how to be the best butcher possible. At one point Lauer’s opened a restaurant and
Jerry managed the restaurant until 1987.
The very next year Jerry’s Legacy began – Boda’s Restaurant and Catering
was opened.
Jerry’s
biggest accomplishment in life was being a single parent to his 4
children. In 1980 Jerry met the love of
his life, Jane Floyd and on July 4, 1990 they were married at Lakeside Park. The joining of Jane and Jerry also brought
another daughter into the family.
Jerry
was an avid hunter, fisherman and bowler.
Hunting trips took him to Northern Wisconsin and Montana and his fishing
trips to Canada. Jerry was always the
‘camp cook’ and made sure all his buddies were well fed. Jerry was instrumental in starting the Forest
Gun Club, organizing the Dotyville Open Golf Tournaments and creating the Oxbo
Tick Races.
Jerry
and Jane enjoyed traveling – Alaska, Hawaii, Florida, California and frequent
trips to Las Vegas topped their list of favorites, however their travels to the
UP with ‘Jerry’s Kids were unforgettable.
They enjoyed ‘sock hops’ and were excellent dancers. Jerry had a passion for woodworking…from
constructing Grandfather Clocks for the family to building birdhouses for the
community – everyone benefited from his generosity. You could always count on Jerry to be a
regular at his children’s’, grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s extra-
curricular activities.
From a
professional perspective Jerry was a lifetime member of Eagles Aerie 270, the
Wisconsin Restaurant Association and the National Restaurant Association.
Jerry
was a man of few words, but many actions.
He was always willing to help in any way or give anything to
anyone. Jerry would never ask for
anything in return, but seeing people learn and succeed from his generosity was
his reward. He had a huge heart that
finally stopped but the legacies and influences he left behind will last
forever.
Survivors
include his wife of 29 years, Jane. Daughters: Lori (Gary) Lloyd, Sue (Tim)
Hanlon, Carey (Dan) Zemski – all of Fond du Lac; his sons: Terry (Houston TX)
and Jeff (Hong Kong); his grandchildren: Justin (Nicole) Lloyd, Karissa
(Dillon) Wittliff, Gabbi (Zach) and Joseph Hanlon, and Katie and Matthew Zemski;
his great grandchildren: Peyton &
Alyce Lloyd. He is also survived by his
brother Fritz, and sisters: Janet Sinotte and Linda Abhold. Special friends include Tim Scannel and Mike
Abler (‘adopted’ sons) and past and present Boda employees.
Jerry
was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Judy, and mother-in-law Katie
Schafer, brother-in-law’s Melvin Sinotte and David Abhold, several other
relatives and special friends.
We
would like to thank Stacy Haase, the Tim Scannel family, and Hospice Home Care
for honoring Jerry’s wishes to remain at home.
A very special Thank You to Larry Roxbury from Hospice for making
Jerry’s journey peaceful and painless – we couldn’t have done it without you!!
Visitation
will be from 9:00 am – 11:30 am Saturday, October 19, 2019 at First
Presbyterian Church, 1225 4th Street, Fond du Lac, followed directly
by the memorial service officiated by Pastor Jack Harrison and Chaplain Karen
Kraus. A military tribute will be held
immediately after the memorial service at the church.
A
Celebration of Life and luncheon will be held at the Eagles Club, 515 N Park
Avenue immediately following the military tribute. Cremation has taken place.
In
lieu of flowers, donations can be made directly to Hospice Hope.
Kurki-Mach Funeral Chapel
& Crematory is serving the family, www.kurkimachfuneralchapel.com. 920-921-4420