Deacon Robert "Bob" Thomas Bodette

Deacon Robert Thomas Bodette “Bob”, age 85, a native of Sylvania Ohio, passed away on Monday August 21, 2017 at Toledo Hospital.  Bob was battling a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer and died of complications from a heart attack that occurred while he was in the hospital.

While we are saddened by his departure we were also blessed by his long life and know he is glad to be reunited with his wife, parents and siblings that preceded him in death.  Bob was a loving father and grandfather and will be deeply missed by his children, grandchildren and those he touched during his life and through his ministry. 

Robert was born on Dec. 12, 1931 to his parents Edward James and Alicia Catherine (Pierce) Bodette.   Bob was the youngest of seven children and was preceded in death by his brothers Gene, Joe, Dick and Ed and his sister Rita. He is survived by his sister Alice (Calabrese).

Bob was ordained as a Permanent Deacon in the Roman Catholic Church for the Toledo Diocese on June 7, 1975. This was the second class of Deacons to be ordained in the Toledo Diocese. His entire ministry of over 43 years was served at St. Joseph Parish, Sylvania. Among his activities were the parish Liturgy Committee, he was a team member of the first Christ Renews His Parish Retreat Program and he was also a team member on many of the following Retreats. His ministry included Director of The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), Communion Services, Baptisms, Religious Education, Funeral and Vigil Services to name a few. He was particularly fond of Baptizing infants.  While there are not precise records the number of Baptism's he performed is estimated to number more than 1,000.  Bob touched numerous people's lives through his ministry.  It was not uncommon for him to be approached when he was out in public by people he had come to know who would reminisce on how he had baptized their now grown child, performed their marriage, or supported them while joining the church or in a time of sorrow or trouble.

Bob attended Rosary Cathedral Grade School and Central Catholic High School graduating in 1949. He retired after 55 years in the grocery business. Thirty of those years were with The Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (A&P). His retail experience included Store Manager, Asst. Sales Director, Asst. Advertising Director, Company Products Representative and National Bakery Representative.

Bob then spent an additional 25 years in the wholesale grocery business as a representative for various wholesale suppliers to independent grocery stores.

He married the love of his life, Loretta May Doarn at Our Lady, Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Cathedral on May 21, 1960. They would have been married 55 years had she not passed away on February 6, 2015.  Survived by children, Christopher, Stephan (Kimberly) Bodette and Elizabeth Rymer, grandchildren, Thomas, Nicole (Brandon Reaster), Alicia, Samantha, Alexander Bodette and Sarah Rymer and the first great grandchild is on the way.

The family would like to thank all the medical professionals that cared for my father in his most recent battle as well as in his past battles.  The number of caregivers is too numerous to name but we extend our thanks and appreciation to the staff at The Toledo Hospital, Toledo Clinic, Hickman Cancer Center, Kingston Care Center and UofM Otolaryngology group.  Special thanks to the Toledo Hospital ICU nursing staff that cared for our dad in his final days including Andrea, Allison, Sara and Sirin!

Friends may call at the Reeb Funeral Home, Sylvania, OH on Friday, August 25, 2017 from 4:00PM-9:00PM where a scripture service will be held at 7:30PM.  Bob will also lie in state at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Sylvania starting at 9:00AM on Saturday August 26, 2017 until his Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00AM.   A lunch will immediately follow the Funeral Mass with interment at Resurrection Cemetery at 1:30PM.  Memorial Donations can be made to the St. Joseph Endowment Fund.