John L. Bednoski, Jr. a/k/a “Cat” passed peacefully at home in Peconic on August 11, 2015. John was born to Lucy (Jernick) and John L. Bednoski, Sr. on March 29, 1948 at E.L.I. Hospital in Greenport.
John was a 1966 Graduate of Southold High School. He served 8 years in the U.S. Army National Guard. He was the first Polish Democrat ever elected in the Town of Southold. He proudly served his community as an 8 year Democratic Elected Town Trustee. His first job gearing way towards Town politics was putting bumper stickers on car windows and on resident home door knobs…. It was allowed way back when….. His first real job was at Poliwoda Beverage in Southold. There he learned the way of the world and of “How to shoot darts.”
John was a mason by trade, a bartender at Oats Tavern and Fishermen’s Rest for 25 years. He later opened the ½ Shell East and West with his sons, Jayme and Joel from ’97-2004. He was a liquor salesman with Peerless Importers for 20 years out of Brooklyn, New York.
As a life-long 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 Assoc., 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 the Mattituck Civil Association, member of Pals Football, Triangle Yacht Club, George Mason Parent Alumni Assoc. and numerous other organizations throughout the town.
He was the beloved Husband of Corinne (Case), loving father to Kevin Goldsmith (Sandy) of Lansdowne, Virginia, Joel Lawrence (Patrick-Retton) of Alexandria, Virginia 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 DJ’s throughout Suffolk County and most always came out on top. He loved baseball, in particular, The Pittsburgh Pirates. That was his team. Always a NY Yankee fan until the Pirates came into his life. He loved the Bruins, Redskins and the Jets.
John was received by family and many, many friends on Friday, August 14 at the DeFriest-Grattan Funeral Home in Southold. The services were conducted by Rev. Dr. Peter Kelley. The interment will be at a later date at the Willow Hill Cemetery in Southold.
