Bernard J. Pochily

Bernard J. (Bernie) Pochily, 90, passed away on August 25th, 2015.  His hard working hands were laid to rest with his family at his side.  He is survived by Lillian, his loving wife of 67 years;  two sons and a daughter-in-law, David (Nancy) Pochily and Robert Pochily;  two daughters and sons-in-law, Lori (Robert) Clemente, and  Donna (William) Striley;  special daughter-in-law Mary Ann Pochily;  8 grandchildren; Carol (Tommy) Barker, Gary Pochily, JoEllen (Nicholas) Tarcha, Sharon (Marcus) Dattoria,  Daniel (Trisha) Clemente, Branden Pochily, Thomas Clemente, and Maggie Striley. He had 6 great grandchildren (expecting #7 in October),  Mary and Nicholas Dorak, Peyton, Zachary and Brooklynn Dattoria.  He was the youngest of 11 children born to Ursula (Cora) and Lawrence Pochily.  He is also survived by his sisters Flory Shearer and Angie Walls; and several nieces and nephews.  He was predeceased by his granddaughter Kelly (Pochily) Zurenda, and her baby Lily; and grandson-in-law Allen Dorak.  He was a member of the Church of the Holy Trinity and served as a Bingo volunteer. Bernie was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII, serving as a heavy equipment operator.  His duties included building the first baseball stadium in Japan, but he was honorably discharged prior to seeing the first game.  He was a member of the American Legion Post 1305.  He retired from J & J Sheet metal after 40 years.  Bernie was a member of the JC Senior Center, and was the last remaining member of the "Farmers Reunion".   He was a jack of many trades, doing carpentry jobs on the side, repairing whatever needed fixing, and even making many beautiful handcrafted wooden trucks, trains and toys.  He could often be found in his workshop building whatever his grandsons dreamed up.  He was a hardworking man but always found the time to attend Lori's track meets and Donna's softball games (never missing a game).  Once his grandchildren were old enough to play baseball and softball he became their biggest fan attending all their games as well.  He was an avid Yankees and Giants fan.  Bernie was very grateful to his family for all their help enabling him to live out his days at home, especially to his grandson Branden who became his primary caregiver.  Branden filled this role with such love and compassion he truly let his grandfather live and die with dignity.  The family would like to thank the staff at Good Shepherd Fairview Rehab Unit as well as Lourdes Hospice for all the wonderful care they gave Bernie.  Funeral services will be held on Friday, August 28, 2015, at 10:30 AM at Bednarsky Funeral Home, Inc., 96 Glenwood Ave., Binghamton and at 11:00 AM at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 346 Prospect St., Binghamton, NY, where a Funeral Mass will be offered.  Burial will be in Slovak Catholic Cemetery.  Family will receive friends from 4:00-7:00 PM on Thursday at the funeral home.   Memorial donations may be made to the Church of the Holy Trinity.

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