BOSTON, Mass.—James Bodt, a much-loved Boston chef, died November 3 after a battle with cancer. He was 65.
Born September 7, 1945, to Walter J. Bodt and Marie Olsen Bodt in Bronxville, Mr. Bodt grew up in Valley Stream and Carmel and lived nearly 40 years in Boston. He attended Alfred University, then moved to Greenwich Village. He began his restaurant career in Rochester, a place of fond memories, and worked as a chef and manager of the 21st Amendment Restaurant in Boston for the past 15 years. He graciously prepared massive feasts for family holidays and cooked the meals for his sisters’ weddings as a gift. His clever wit, kindness and sense of humor will be missed.
Mr. Bodt is survived by: 12 siblings, Elizabeth (Marvin) Buchmiller of Lake Tahoe, CA., Timothy (Grace Ann Bergen) Bodt of DuBois, PA., Adrienne West of Brewster, Wendy (John) Fieser of Germantown, Chloe Sasson of Mt. Kisco, Jonathan (Mary Ellen) Bodt of Stroudsburg, PA, Abigail (Peter) Smith of Stottville, Dagmar (Mark) Payne of Germantown, Naomi (Robert) Pucarelli of Hopewell Junction, Rachel May of Hopewell Junction, Hephzibah (Kurt) Grossberndt of Mt. Kisco, Noah (Kristin) Bodt of Westwood, NJ; 25 nieces and nephews, 10 great nieces and nephews, and very dear friends. His parents, a niece, a nephew, and a brother-in-law predeceased him.
A memorial to his life will be held at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home in Germantown, November 13 at 1 p.m.
A lifelong patron of the arts, Mr. Bodt requested donations be made to a theater company: Ryan Landry, Gold Dust Orphans, 387 Ashmont Street, Dorchester, Mass. 02124