Peter M. Bednar

BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA - Mr. Peter M. Bednar, Sr., 68, of Beaufort, died on June 14 after a 21 year battle with cancer. He was born July 30, 1944 to Mary and Peter Bednar of Cleveland, Ohio. Mr. Bednar is survived by his loving wife of 45 years, Marilyn Bednar of Beaufort, SC and his son Peter M Bednar, Jr. of Cedar Rapids, Iowa and also brothers Michael of Charlottesville, Virginia and David of Marietta, Ohio. He is also survived by nephews Richard Bednar and Matthew Bednar both of Charlottesville, Virginia and niece Rachel Niles of Washington, DC. Mr. Bednar graduated from Parma High School in Parma, Ohio in 1962. He attended Ohio University before enlisting in the U.S. Army and was commissioned a 2nd/Lt in 1967. He was stationed at Fort Gordon, Augusta, Georgia where he met his wife-to-be and at Fort Lewis Washington before being deployed to Viet Nam as an Infantry Platoon Leader. After being wounded several times in combat and critically in Operation Walla Walla, Lt. Bednar was reassigned to Martin Army Hospital in Columbus, Georgia for treatment. After being medically discharged from the Army, the couple returned to Athens, Ohio and Ohio University where Mr. Bednar finished his degree in Business Administration. The working years took Mr. Bednar and his family to nine different states. Mr. Bednar started his career at General Tire and Rubber Co. and worked his way up from supervisor to Vice-President, President, and CEO of companies in Alabama and Mississippi. During those years Mr. Bednar became active in the program whereby industries and companies adopted a school. Both Georgia and North Carolina Governors awarded him for his efforts in this area. After working for forty five years in the rubber and plastic industries Mr. Bednar and his wife retired to Beaufort, South Carolina. Whenever they could work trips into their busy schedules, the Bednars traveled in the USA as well as abroad in Europe and Canada. At home Mr. Bednar concentrated most of his volunteer efforts at Our Lady's Pantry, an emergency food pantry, administered by St. Peter's Church and the diocese of Charleston. The family will receive friends from 5 until 7 o'clock Wednesday at Copeland Funeral Service - One Copeland Drive. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m., Thursday, June 20th at St. Peter's Historical Catholic Church, Carteret Street. Burial will follow at 12:00 noon, Thursday at Beaufort National Cemetery, with full Army Honors. The family would like to thank "Pete's Buddies" at Our Lady's Pantry as well as friends throughout Habersham and Beaufort for their love and support during his final illness. In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations be made to Our Lady' Emergency Food Pantry in care of St. Peter's Catholic Church, Beaufort, South Carolina, or to your local food pantry in his memory.