Obituary of Jack Bendokas

John "Jack" Bendokas, 84, of Springfield, N.J., formerly of Short Hills, N.J., died on May 13, 2011, at Overlook Medical Center, Summit, N.J. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Mass at St. Rose of Lima Church, 50 Short Hills Ave., Short Hills, on Wednesday, May 18, at 10 a.m. Visitation will be held at the Jacob A. Holle Funeral Home, 2122 Millburn Ave., Maplewood, N.J., on Tuesday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Born in Newark, N.J., Jack lived in Short Hills before moving to Springfield two years ago. He graduated from St. Benedict's Prep in Newark and earned a B.A. from Seton Hall University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1945 to 1947, during World War II. Jack worked in the drywall construction industry for more than 40 years and was a past president of the Metropolitan New York Drywall Association. Most recently, he was a self-employed property inspector until his death. A member of the St. Benedict's Alumni Association, Jack was an active fund-raiser for the school and was awarded the alumni association's Distinguished Service Award in 2008. He was a daily communicant and altar server at St. Rose of Lima for more than 40 years and a member of the St. Rose of Lima Knights of Columbus Council. Additionally, he was a past president and treasurer of the Serra Club of the Oranges, District 22, and received their Robert T. Searson Award in 2005. He also belonged to the New York Athletic Club. Jack was loved and respected by all who had the good fortune of knowing him. A devoted family man, successful businessman, and an avid skier, Jack liked to go deep-sea fishing and snow sledding with his family. Jack was the beloved husband of Nancy Suckow Bendokas for 58 years. He was the devoted father of Nancy Bendokas, John J. Bendokas III, Mary Ellen Bendokas Rudolphsen, Patty Nascone and Jimmy Bendokas; dear brother of the late Edward Bendokas; and is also survived by 14 grandchildren and one great grandson. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Benedict's Prep, 520 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Newark, N.J. 07102 would be appreciated. For more information or to send condolences, please visit jacobhollefuneralhome.com.