Henry Bodio
From SABR Encyclopedia
| Henry Bodio | |
| Henry F Bodio | |
| "Tate" | |
| Bat/Throw: | R/? |
|---|---|
| Height: | 5' 8" |
| Weight: | 152 |
| Born: | 1915-4-14 at Milford, MA (US) |
| Died: | 2004-4-20 |
| More info | |
| SABR Searches: | Pictures of Henry Bodio | width:90% height:65% scrolling:auto | Pictures}} · Bibliography |
|---|---|
MILFORD -- Henry F. Bodio, known throughout town as "Tate," spent a long life consumed by several passions -- family, community and baseball.
A longtime partner in one of the town's prominent insurance agencies, he gave back to the community through his activity in charitable organizations.
A former professional ballplayer, he donated his time to his beloved Milford American Legion Baseball Club, and was the town's baseball historian.
Bodio of 10 Ferguson St. died yesterday at Milford-Whitinsville Regional Hospital. He was 89.
His charitable activities included serving as chairman of the Red Cross, the Heart Fund, and the American Cancer Society.
Tate's son Brian Bodio of Milford said his father lived to help people.
"My father was involved in so many things," Brian said. "He was instrumental in helping people in the community, especially those less fortunate.
"Ultimately, I don't know what drove him, but I do know he cared about the community, and he was very giving of his time."
Tate was named "Man of the Year" for the American Cancer Society in 1981; received the Milford Chamber of Commerce Certificate of Appreciation for his service to the community; and he was named Plains Man of the Year in 1989.
"I'm extremely proud of my dad," said Brian. "He did so much for so many. He was a very caring and compassionate person."
He also was an accomplished baseball player, and especially loved the history of Milford baseball.
"He was one of the great athletes ever in Milford," said Stan Jones, a longtime friend of Tate and the sports editor of the Milford Daily News for 22 years.
"Before I even met him, I used to read about him as a baseball player."
Tate was a member of the 1932 and 1933 Milford High School state championship teams. After he graduated, he played baseball in the Blackstone Valley League. He played in the Cape Cod League in 1936 and eventually signed to play pro ball with the Brooklyn Dodgers. As member of the Dodgers' organization, he was assigned to New Waterford of the Cape Breton Colliery League.
"I had a lot of respect for the knowledge Tate had for the game as an athlete and as a historian," said Jones. "He loved baseball, and he always had great baseball stories."
Above all, preserving the history and the future of Milford baseball was very important to Tate. He was the chairman of the Milford Legion Baseball Club; he served on the Fino Field Commission; and he was the chairman of the American Legion Baseball Northeast Regional Tournament in 1979.
Tate also received an award for his dedication for the advancement of American Legion Baseball.
"I can't say enough about Tate," said Eleanor Guenther, the past president of the American Legion Baseball Club. She was friends with Tate for more than 50 years.
"He was always very knowledgable about sports. He was so wonderful and he was very active. Everybody loved Tate. He was so down-to-earth. He did so much for baseball in Milford. He was a Milford icon."
"My father was very proud of the history of baseball in Milford, and he was very proud of this community," Brian said.
Born in Milford, Tate was the son of the late Cesar and Virginia Bodio. He was the husband of Florence (Paradiso) Bodio for 63 years. He was a lifelong Milford resident.
He was the vice president of the Karl Bright Insurance Agency for several years, retiring in 1988. He began his insurance career in 1941 for Metropolitan Life before becoming a managing partner for the Karl Bright agency.
He was also a member of the Lions Club.
In addition to his wife and his son Brian, he is survived by his son Eugene Bodio; his brother, Francis "Bob" Bodio of Milford; six grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Henry F. Bodio Jr.
His funeral will be held on Saturday at 9 a.m. from the Consigli-Ruggerio Funeral Home at 46 Water St., followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10 a.m. in the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, 7 East Main St. His burial will be in Sacred Heart Cemetery on Medway Road in Milford. Calling hours will be on Friday from 4 to 8 p.m. [1]
Footnotes
- ↑ "Tate Bodio remembered as a great friend of Milford". Milford Daily News, 2004-04-20. http://www.milforddailynews.com/news/x1470542514.
