Obituary of Paul Stephen Bodner

Paul Bodner, Mr. Lemonade, Dies at 68 The Jewish community has lost one of its most endearing leaders. Paul S. Bodner, known by his friends and fans as Mr. Lemonade, died peacefully in Las Vegas on Dec. 21, 2014, surrounded by his family. Paul died after a two and half -year long struggle with adenocarcinoma, non-smoker's lung cancer. Paul was a true Renaissance Man – a husband, father, grandfather and brother, but also a teacher, writer, speaker, humorist, actor, businessman, volunteer, fundraiser and "Rabbinister. " In 2006, after being asked over and over by friends and family to officiate at their weddings, Paul was ordained so he could make it official. His spirituality, humor, passion, egalitarianism and big heart made him the ideal officiate for life cycle events. He just didn't do bris's. Born in Teaneck, New Jersey on July 23, 1946 to Ruth and Milton Bodner, Paul grew up with a big sister, Sue, who taught him how to dance to the tunes of American Bandstand with all her girlfriends. As a Jewish kid in New Jersey in the 50s and 60s, he felt he wasn't enough of an outsider, so he chose to forgo football for soccer and guitar for the French horn. He also sang in a doo-wop group called "The Stereos." His skill on the soccer field took him to the University of Maryland on scholarship, where he played goalie and was in the TEP fraternity. His best friend and one of his fraternity brothers, Ira Blumenthal, remembers pulling a prank with Paul that involved borrowing a duck from the local duck pond with another fraternity brother, Larry David of Seinfeld fame. Paul met his first wife, Myrna, at the University of Maryland. They were married in 1969 and moved to California so Paul could pursue an acting career. After starring in the Crucible with Dianne Wiest in college, Paul fell in love with the theater, but his acting career was cut short when he enlisted in the Marines (Reserves) and found his roles were limited due to his new haircut. Paul spent the bulk of his career in the medical field as a recruiter. He placed hundreds of doctors and hospital executives in institutions around the country – as the deliverers of medicine, not the recipients – usually. Paul continued to act throughout his life, starring in several commercials, in a recurring role on Archie Bunker's place, and in community theater. He received the Best Supporting Actor award from the Pacific Palisades Theater for his role in the Odd Couple in 1992. Paul was also active behind the camera, as a screenwriter and one of the co-founders of Cinevegas, Las Vegas's International Film Festival in 1998. Paul moved to Las Vegas with his wife – the love of his life – Ellen Levy Bodner in 1995. Paul and Ellen met as kids in New Jersey and went to their high school prom together 30 years earlier. Their prom picture was the cover of their wedding invitation. In Las Vegas, Paul was engaged in multiple community and philanthropic causes. He founded the local chapter of AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, served on the Boards of The Jewish Federation and the Jewish Community Center. After Paul was diagnosed with cancer, he became deeply engaged in the NF Hope Concert, a benefit for neurofibromatosis. Perhaps Paul is best known to his family, friends and fans as Mr. Lemonade. While his children were growing up, Paul wrote a syndicated column sharing stories of fatherhood in the "Atlanta Journal Constitution" called "A Daddy's World." In 2003, Paul's columns were compiled into a book by the same name. Two other compilations followed, "Teaching with Love, Laughter & Lemonade" and "Living with Love, Laughter & Lemonade," as part of The Lemonade Series. Paul's pure love of life – his optimism, sense of humor and contagious laughter – allowed him to always turn lemons into lemonade. His letters and blog entries www.paulbodner.com were signed, "With love, laughter and lemonade." And his final book, "My Lemonade Life: A memoir of living with love, laughter and now … cancer" is a testament to his ability to practice what he preached. Paul's advice to his kids was: "Follow your heart" – and that he did until the very end. Paul leaves an amazing legacy through all the lives he has touched, but his greatest pride was in his family. He is survived by his wife Ellen, sons Zack (Ronit) and Gabe (Tamara). He is also survived by stepchildren Wendy Blaney (Scott), Adam Millstein (Nancy), and Jason Millstein (Melissa), and grandchildren Talia, Noah, Elie, Ethan and Orly Bodner, Jessica and Alex Nathan, Jack Millstein, and Jake Blaney. He is mourned by his sister Susan Katz and her husband Bernie Katz, their children Ralph Katz (Bonnie) and Debbie Berkelhammer (Carl), as well as numerous cousins and friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 am on Tuesday, Dec. 23 at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane, Las Vegas, with interment immediately following at Palm Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Paul's memory to The Caring Place www.thecaringplacenv.org, Nathan Adelson Hospice www.nah.org, or NF Hope www.nfhope.org. .