Theodore Frank Bodnar, Jr., of Hagerstown, and previously of Herndon, Virginia, died early Friday morning, July 7, 2017, at Meritus Medical Center, Hagerstown. He was the husband of Victoria Knott Bodnar, his wife of 40 years.
Born February 29, 1944, in Baltimore, he was the son of the late Theodore Frank, Sr., and Barbara Dinko Bodnar.
Ted, began working at the age of twelve at his family’s grocery in Merrifield, Virginia. He worked as an Audio Engineer/Record Producer/Promoter. R&B was his focus, but he worked with many artists to include Frankie Valle and the Four Seasons, Soul Searchers, Barney Perry and the Blackbirds, BernNadette Stanis, Lloyd Price, Freddie Cole, Wilson Pickett, Joe Quarterman, and Mohammad Ali. His live remotes included: Don Rickles, Pig Meat Markham, Moms Mably, Slappy White., and the DC Choral Ensemble. Ted co-managed CHERRY SMASH, and the IGA Heroes that played the Bayou, New Max, and the Keg. He was a partner in DON records with Don King and Lloyd Price. He can boast 24 recordings in the top 100.
In 1966, Ted signed Little Sonny Warner and Bobby Parker with CHESS CHECKER, and in 1980, he founded BED Records with Jim Covert (Shadows of the Night, “My Brown Eyed Girl” and ‘GLORIA’ fame), toured with Shawn Cassidy and promoted the Mohammed Ali “The Last Hurrah” fight simulcast in Sarasota, Florida. Ted promoted shows in Fairfax, Virginia with acts previewed at Premier Talent in New York. These groups included: The ASSOCIATION, The Chicago Loop, Fifth Estate, Mad Hatters,and Music Explosion.
Locally, Ted used his production talents to form and Chair the Fireworks at Fairgrounds Park for 16 years. He helped with such events as Harvest Hoedown, Holly Fest, Augustoberfest and the Ghost Tours.
Ted was by faith a member of the Eastern Rite Byzantine Catholic Church. He was a member of Red Men Tribe 84, Williamsport, the Maryland Entertainment Hall of Fame, and the Beach Music Hall of Fame.
Surviving, besides his wife Vicki, is his daughter, Teresa Ann Bodnar and grandson Nicholas C. Bodnar ; two great grandchildren Evelyn and Russell, a sister, Barbara Burrier of Falls Church, Virginia; a niece and nephews, Terri, Christopher,and Greg Burrier, brother in law, Victor C. Knott, his wife Doris Knott, niece Nicole Knott and nephew, Victor C. Knott III.
The family will receive friends at Andrew K. Coffman Funeral Home, 40 East Antietam Street, Hagerstown, on Tuesday, July 11, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. The funeral service will be on Wednesday, July 12, at 11:00 AM, with family friend, the Rev. Melvin W. Hardy, Jr., officiating. Interment will be on Wednesday afternoon, 2:00 PM, at National Memorial Park, 7482 Lee Hwy, Falls Church, Virginia.
