Joseph Carl Bogdan MD, 78 of Spring Lake passed away on September 21, 2016 at his home surrounded by his devoted family.

Born in Jersey City, he was a graduate of St. Peter’s Prep, St. Peter’s College and then completed his Medical Doctorate at Seton Hall College of Medicine and Dentistry, Jersey City, NJ. Following Medical School he proudly served as a Captain in the 50th Medical Battalian in the Army National Guard for 10 years.

He had resided in Neptune, Deal and then in Spring Lake for the past 43 years. At home in Spring Lake, he enjoyed his vegetable garden, fishpond and pool. Dr. Bogdan had three main passions in his life: pediatrics, fishing, and most of all, family.

After graduating from medical school, he did his pediatric residency at Jersey Shore Medical School (previously known as Fitkin Hospital). He went on to be the co-founder of Pediatric Associates in 1968 in Neptune, and later opened a second office in Marlboro. He was Chief of Pediatrics at Jersey Shore from 1975-1995, where he also served on the hospital Executive Committee from 1971-2016. He served as President of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics for many years. After retiring from Pediatric Associates in 2010, he spent nearly 6 very rewarding years teaching Pediatric residents at the Rosa Family Health Center. He was famous for his bowties that he wore everyday to the office. He was dedicated to his patients and was on call 24/7 even when he was off. He had a special bond with so many of the children that he took care of including introducing them into the world of fishing.

He was a passionate fisherman and scuba diver starting as a small boy when he summered with his family in South Belmar. His boat the Wots Up Dock, docked in Belmar for more than 40 years was well known to the local community. He loved to take out friends and family and provide fishing advice so that everyone caught a “keeper”. In order to ensure a good catch, he would have them sing, “here fishy fishy”. He has held two world’s records in fishing, one for an African Pompano, and the other for a Jack Crevalle. In his spare time, he made fishing lures, which have attracted many big fish.

His greatest passion of all was his family. He met his loving wife in 1957 when she got off the train in Belmar one summer. He was the proud father of 4 children and 12 grandchildren. He also has a large number of what he called his “adopted” children which were friends of his children that he loved and guided as he did his own. His favorite time of the year was the summer, when all the grandchildren would come for an extended visit. Summers included lots of fishing, barbeques and an annual lobster and crab night.

He was predeceased by his parents, Stanley and Virginia Rozwadowski Bogdan, and his granddaughter Bridget Nicole Bogdan.
He is survived by his devoted wife of 52 years Daphne Menchin Bogdan, his four children and their spouses; Drs. Joseph “Skip” P. and Lori Hernandez Bogdan of Spring Lake, Doreen Bogdan-Martin and Jesus Martin-Garcia of Geneva, Switzerland, Capt. Gregory F. Bogdan of N. Palm Beach, Fla., and Robert and Tracy Costello Bogdan of Wyoming, Pa., his cherished grandchildren Brittany, Matthew and Jack Bogdan; Cecilia, Ana, Alejandro, and Santiago Martin; Joseph and Grant Bogdan; and Rachel and Nathan Bogdan and his dear younger sister Barbara Bogdan Herbermann of Spring Lake.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation on Monday from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at the O’Brien Funeral Home, 2028 Hwy 35 at New Bedford Rd., Wall. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Tuesday 10:30am at St. Margaret’s Church – please meet directly at church. Entombment will be in St. Catharine’s Cemetery, Sea Girt. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to K. Hovnanian Children’s Hospital: 1345 Campus Parkway, Suite A2, Neptune, NJ 07753.

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