John Anthony Bogucki
North Liberty - John Anthony Bogucki, 74, passed away peacefully at Memorial Hospital Thursday, June 10, 2021, and his family is grateful for the care provided by the physicians, nurses, and staff of the ICU, Cardiac Care Team, and Emergency Room.
John was born July 25, 1946 in South Bend the first child to the late John T. and Rita (Podemski) Bogucki. He is also preceded in death by his brother Patrick (Carolyn) Bogucki.
Left to cherish John's memory are his devoted wife, Mary Ann (Jedral) Bogucki; his four children, Danielle (Gavin) Binzer, Alyssa Calder, Alena (Jon McCullough) Bogucki, John J. Bogucki; grandchildren, Eli & Libby Calder, Cole & Emma Binzer, and Olive McCullough; his brothers, Kenneth (Laura) Bogucki, Ronald (Krys) Bogucki, and many special friends.
Dad prided himself on his honesty, meticulous work ethic, and sense of humor, and he appreciated those traits in others.
A 1964 graduate of Washington High School, John earned a bachelor's degree from Ball State University in 1969 as a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon, before achieving his master's degree at Indiana University in 1975, and completing post-graduate classes at the University of Notre Dame in the 2000s.
A lifelong learner and natural leader, John applied those skills as a public school teacher for 43 years at South Bend Community School's former LaSalle High School and Clay High School. He was named an Indiana Wildlife Federation's Educator of the Year, and always enjoyed seeing former students in the community.
John dreamed of moving out to the country and turned a corn and soybean farm into a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat, hand-planting hundreds of fruiting, nut, and evergreen trees. An avid outdoors-man, Dad relished adventures across North America hunting deer, turkey, bear, antelope - even fletching his own arrows, filling his freezer with wild game, fishing with friends and his son, participating in Izaak Walton League, and being an official measurer for the Boone & Crockett Club, Pope & Young Club, and Indiana Hoosier Record Buck Program.
Dad enjoyed Doo-Wop music, and the songs of Queen and Alabama, watching Saturday Night Live, Clint Eastwood and Terminator movies, Notre Dame football, reading The Far Side and Calvin & Hobbs comics, doing magic tricks, and setting off fireworks. A forever optimist, he enjoyed Publishers Clearing House, saying "Someone has to win!" Whether photographing the beautiful sunsets and rainbows seen on the farm or record-setting deer racks, collecting coins, or walking for hours picking up "shed" antlers and feathers, he was spunky and spirited.
While no one is perfect, we will remember the hopeful, funny, curious, respectable provider Dad was.
VISITATION FOR JOHN WILL BE 3:00 P.M. TO 7:00 P.M ON THURSDAY, JUNE 17, 2021 IN ST. JOSEPH FUNERAL HOME, 824 SOUTH MAYFLOWER ROAD; DUE TO HEALTH CONCERNS, MASKS WILL BE REQUIRED. Dad will go to his final resting place in a private service at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association in John's memory at 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, TX 75231.

06/15/2021 JFC