Julius BODOR

BODOR, Julius

February 10, 1934 - August 22, 2022

The long and winding trail for well loved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather Julius Bodor came to an end Monday August 22, 2022, at Nanaimo Regional Hospital, surrounded by family who loved him dearly. He was 88.

Julius’ father John emigrated from Hungary in 1928 and went to work as a coal miner in the Alberta badlands. John’s wife Julia came to Canada in 1933, and their son Julius was born in Drumheller in 1934. He grew up in East Coulee, played baseball and violin, and attended the East Coulee School (now a museum). 

In 1953 Julius and a few of his friends left the Coulee for the University of Oklahoma, where he graduated in 1955 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering. He started working in the oil patch, and by the 1970s Julius struck out on his own and started Bodor Drilling with great success. Later in his career he joined Jade Drilling as a salesman. Julius made friends in the patch easily and kept in touch with many of them for years. 

For many years Julius traveled nationally and internationally practicing the pastime that he loved, barbershop singing. With his recognizable bass voice he was a key member of several choruses and quartets, won a few awards and coached new groups. He continued to make more lifelong friends through the unity of song.

With his first wife Betty he raised four children (Ralph, Julia, Dean and Murray). Julius enjoyed watching his children and grandchildren grow up, first in Calgary and then during visits to and from Vancouver Island. He remarried a lovely woman named Patricia and quite willingly took on the role of stepdad to her four kids (Colin, Sherry, Brenda and Wanda) and their families, treating them as his own. Julius and Patricia eventually retired to Nanaimo BC where Patricia’s brother Fred and his family fondly watched over them.

Julius was a charming man who loved to make people smile. He was cherished dearly by his family and friends and will be deeply missed. Following Julius’ wishes, there will be no service or burial, his ashes will find their way back to East Coulee. If you wish to join a small gathering in Calgary or Nanaimo to remember the impact he had on those around him, please contact the family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the East Coulee School Museum. Expressions of sympathy and personal tributes can be left here or sent to the family.

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