John F. Bamford Jr., 82, of Key West, Florida, and Moosic, PA, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening at Glenmaura Senior Living.
Born on February 23, 1943, in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, John was the son of the late John and Pauline Bamford. He spent his childhood in the Greenridge section of Scranton, where he excelled at both baseball and basketball. Many of his friends affectionately called him “Bodie” after Cheyenne Bodie, the tall, deep-voiced, ruggedly handsome TV character who reminded them of John.
John graduated from St. Paul’s High School in Scranton, and he attended The University of Scranton from 1963 – 1964. On April 25, 1964, he married the love of his life, Marilyn Seckary. A natural entrepreneur, John teamed up with his father in the mid-1960s to manage the Bamford Tire Co. in Scranton. Then in 1970, he founded Mar-Paul Company Inc., a successful construction firm named after the two most important women in his life, Marilyn Bamford and Pauline Bamford.
Throughout his life, he was known for his kindness, generosity, and gentle warmth, making friends wherever he went and leaving a lasting impression on everyone he met. His greatest joys included living in Key West, Florida, preparing gourmet meals, playing racquetball in his early days, playing golf at Glenmaura National Golf Club, and enjoying cold Amstel Light. But above all, his happiest times were spent with his beloved wife Marilyn and his family.
John is survived by his devoted wife of 61 years, Marilyn Bamford; his children Robert (Stacey) Bamford, Marilee (Jeffrey) Barone, and Holly Bamford (Shannon Carroll); his grandchildren Jason (Heidi)Bamford, Marisa (Kyle) Iezzi, John Barone, Elizabeth (KJ) Giles, Caroline Barone, John Carroll Bamford, and Matthew Carroll Bamford; his great-grandson Joel Bamford. John is predeceased by his parents, John and Pauline Bamford, and his brother Jeff Bamford.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, December 22 at 10:00am at Divine Mercy Parish at St. Joseph’s Church, 312 Davis Street, Moosic. Friends and family are welcome to pay their respects from 9:00am-10:00am on Monday at the church.
Interment, Cathedral Cemetery in Scranton.
In lieu of flowers please make donations to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, 30 Ed Preate Dr. Suite 108 Moosic, Pa 18507.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of John F. Bamford, Jr., please visit our floral store.