John L. Bednoski Jr.
John L. Bednoski Jr., also known as “Cat,” passed peacefully at his home in Peconic Aug. 11, 2015.
John was born to Lucy (Jernick) and John L. Bednoski Sr. March 29, 1948, at Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport. He graduated Southold High School in 1966 and served eight years in the U.S. Army National Guard.
John was the first Polish Democrat to be elected in the Town of Southold. He proudly served his community as a Democrat-elected Town Trustee for eight years. His first job, which geared way toward town politics, was putting bumper stickers on car windows and on doorknobs of residents’ homes, which was allowed “way back when.” His first real job was at Polywoda Beverage in Southold, where he learned the way of the world and “how to shoot darts.”
John was a mason by trade, and was also a bartender at Oats Tavern and Fishermen’s Rest, where he worked for 25 years. He later opened and operated the Half Shell East and West with his sons Jayme and Joel from 1997 through 2004. He was a liquor salesman with Peerless Importers for 20 years, working out of Brooklyn.
A lifelong resident of Southold, John proudly served his community in many ways. He was the past president of the CYO Basketball League, Mattituck Softball League, Southold Little League, Riverhead Bowling Association, co-founder of the Bummy Hudson Open Scholarship, past president of the Democratic Committee, Cutchogue Democratic Association, leader of the United Methodist Youth Group, member of Mattituck Civil Association, member of PAL Football, Triangle Yacht Club, George Mason Parent Alumni Association, and numerous other organizations throughout the town.
He was the beloved husband of Corinne (née Case); loving father to Kevin Goldsmith (Sandy) of Lansdowne, Va., Joel Lawrence (Patrick-Retton) of Alexandria, Va., and Jayme Leigh (Erin) of Southold. John was the very proud grandfather of Parker and Sydney (Kevin), Alyse (Joel) and Lindsey, Abbigail and Lauryn (Jayme). He left behind Jernick cousins from Shelter Island, Grigonis cousins from Southold and his cousin/brother/best friend, Ken Wokosky of Aquebogue.
John, as everyone knew, was an activist for the Democratic Party locally and nationally. He was an avid sports fan and loved music. He entered several music contests on WLNG and with DJs throughout Suffolk County and most always came out on top. He loved baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates in particular. That was his team. He had always been a New York Yankees fan, until the Pirates came into his life. He also loved the Bruins, Redskins and the Jets.
The family received visitors Aug. 14 at DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold, where services were conducted by the Rev. Dr. Peter Kelley. Interment will be at a later date at Willow Hill Cemetery in Southold.
This is a paid notice.
