Latest news about planned memorial service!
Thank you to everyone who has called and emailed in regards to one of boxing’s most famed cutmen Chuck Bodak who passed away last Friday morning after suffering the long-term effects of a 2007 stroke.
I just spoke with close family friends of Chuck, the Marconi brothers, who have known the Gary, Indiana native since they were teens. The latest update in regards to the planned memorial service is that unfortunately there will be NO funeral service at the Riverside National Cemetery in California. The Marconis just got word that it will be a “direct burial” with no service on site.
Many of you have expressed that you would like to attend the service to honor the enigmatic personality that Chuck was, and it is regrettable that it won’t take place at this 
time. The Marconis and the Bodak family did want everyone to be able to pay tribute to Chuck but with the military burial procedure it cannot be arranged to handle the crowd that would have attended. But on one positive note, the fact that there will be no memorial service is keeping in line with the feisty veteran’s final wishes.
There is some solace that in the end the boisterous, colorful, generous, eccentric and humble cutman had the very last say in these matters. Ray Marconi said of the 92-year-old, “He wanted to be buried in a pine box with a military burial and no funeral service. So I am glad we are going to be able to honor Chuck’s request.”
Thanks again for everyone’s kindness and thoughtfulness–Chuck was certainly one-of-a-kind who was appreciated by so many. A lot of negative things have been said lately about the current state of boxing, but in times like these the fight community is always 101% supportive!
One more positive thing I’d like to share with you: Here are some personal photos given to me from December 2006 when the Burbank Boxing Club featured Chuck as a special guest speaker. Along with the club members, Hall of Fame referee and judge Gwen Adair, WWE Smackdown! writer Dan Madigan, pro fighter George Moreno and L.A. Times reporter Jeff Tully all came out to meet and join Chuck at the function.
The club made him an honorary member and were inspired by the cutman’s stories, adventures and experiences during his star-studded career that spanned decades. He entertained the group with anecdotes about his favorite boxer Muhammad Ali and the hundreds of other champions he had worked with. Chuck also answered questions about his unique diet (orange soda, chicken and almonds almost every day), why he chose to sleep on the hard floor instead of a comfortable bed, and the secret to his longevity as he told us, “Always do something you really love–it will keep you young and happy!”
And at this lively event Chuck did what made him so memorable to everyone–patiently helping the youngest kids with the focus mitts, handing out handmade jewelry and caps, telling off-color jokes and spouting off in general, staying until closing time to sign autographs and pose for photos. He loved boxing and for all of us, Chuck Bodak will always be remembered and revered.
Photos courtesy of Patrick Megerdichian/Burbank Boxing Club