Obituary of John G. Bedosky

After a short illness, John George Bedosky Jr., DDS, of Vestal, NY, passed away on Tuesday evening, February 7th, at Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA. John was weeks away from his 94th birthday. John is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy T. Bedosky; his parents, Mary Sharak and John G Bedosky Sr.; and his brother, Dr. Richard M. Bedosky. He is survived by his sons, John R. Bedosky (Holly), Children: Krista, Lauren (Eyan Lason); James T. Bedosky, Children: Karina, Kimberly; Thomas M. Bedosky (Lynn), Children: TJ, Jake, John Samuel, Benjamin. Four great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. John's grandchildren were his pride and joy! Dr. John Bedosky was born into humble beginnings on March 10, 1929. He and his brother Richard, born 22 months later, were raised into a working-class family on the west side of Binghamton, back in the days when being from the "other side of the tracks" really meant something. They were the grandchildren of Pern coal miners and the sons of Endicott Johnson Factory Workers. Their father, John Sr, was a former coal miner himself. At 12 years of age his father worked for Endicott Johnson to help support his family, making $12.00 a week at one point. Their mother Mary was an extremely talented seamstress and homemaker and the family's foundation of strength. Together, their parents instilled in the boys the values of respect, determination, and a strong work ethic, which would become the cornerstone of their sons' characters and future successes. The unwavering support and encouragement that the Bedosky boys got from their parents, while being told by a teacher that "they were not college material," is what drove them to succeed. Their parents' principles inspired and shaped them throughout their childhood. The boys learned to always take care of family and were encouraged to pursue a college education. The brothers took advantage of every opportunity to pull their weight within the family, whether shoveling coal, lifting heavy boxes or working on their Uncle Mike's garbage trucks, all while flourishing in school. John spent most of his high school years at the private Benedictine High School in Cleveland, Ohio. Here, he was the captain of the football team and consistently made the honor roll. In 1948, he entered Ohio University and continued playing football, followed by his brother a year later. In 1952, the brothers not only graduated, but they also flourished. John stated: "I had a fire burning in my belly. I knew how hard my parents worked to get me here and how much they believed in me. I wanted to make them proud." Bonded by the past and by their shared vision for the future, the brothers applied to the University of Buffalo Dental School. In 1956, they both graduated and passed the Dental State Boards to become doctors. John was a member of the O.K.U. Honor Society and senior class president. Known as "the Gold Dust Twins" in dental school, they made their parents extremely proud. After completing school, the brothers decided it was time to serve their country. For two years, John served as a Captain in the United States Army, and Richard in the United States Navy. After joining the Army, John married his "lovely wife & soulmate" Dorothy Tinkham, with whom he shared a wonderful life for 57 years, until her passing in 2015. In 1958, with school and military behind them, the brothers started their dental practice. Together, they opened their family dentistry on Main Street in Binghamton. Their work ethic persisted and they had a very successful and rewarding practice for 40 years. In his free time, Dr. John enjoyed golfing, racquetball, paddleball, ice fishing, hunting, and taking his boat out to Oneida Lake to fish. Always interested in sports, he coached his three sons' little league and all-stars teams for several years. Years before Johnson City had the Oakdale Mall, the doctors purchased property across the street where Best Western, Court Jester, and the former Ground Round are. Where Metro Mattress now stands was the home of the doctor's parents. The home was relocated so that, in 1977, Ponderosa could be the first restaurant in the plaza. The brothers worked days in the office. On their days off and weekends, they would be at the plaza building The Best Western or overseeing the construction of the former Ponderosa and Friendly's. After retiring from dentistry, Dr. John, his wife Dorothy, and his son Thomas, bought the Howard Johnson's Express Inn in Vestal. Several years later, they built the 81-room Holiday Inn Express and Suites. Then, construction started on the 79-room Homewood Suites by Hilton, followed in 2015 by the 81-room Candlewood Suites. Throughout his long and active working life, his family and especially his grandchildren were the pride and joy of his life. "Grandpa" was known to attend all his grandsons' sporting events, including every practice. When the boys were older and driving themselves to events, he would leave a treat of some kind on their cars for them to find as a sweet gesture, a token of his affection. Although his granddaughters lived out of state, he frequently hosted them for visits or would travel to Virginia and Minnesota to see them and treat them to swimming, movies or other fun memories. All of his grandchildren visited him before his passing, and most of them were at his side during his final hours sharing memories, laughing, crying and telling him "I love you grandpa." He was truly an exceptional and much-loved man who will be missed by family, friends and an extended family of staff from the Vestal hotels who were part of his life over the past several years.