John Bondorew died peacefully at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at Newbridge on the Charles in Dedham on May 29. He was 88.

He was born in Pawtucket, R.I. on Sept. 17, 1930, the son of the late Ekow and Stepa (Ynukov) Bondorew. During the Korean War, he proudly served his country as a sergeant first class in the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers.

He and his wife Margaret were married in Oak Bluffs on February 24, 1978. They had lived in Foxborough for the past 41 years and spent many happy summers in Oak Bluffs.

John was a tool and die maker at Leesona Corporation of Warwick, R.I., for over 30 years. An avid boater and fisherman, he was a retired member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Fairhaven. He was also a member of the Masons, Shriners and Knights Templar. He often entered the annual Martha’s Vineyard Striped Bass Derby, and was awarded many prizes. One of the awards was in the 1962 derby, with the largest bass caught from a boat by a Martha’s Vineyard non-native.

One of his main goals in life was to make people laugh and be happy. He loved to talk and joke with everyone, often total strangers, and really enjoyed walking with Peg along the bulkhead in Oak Bluffs, chatting with fellow boaters and other friends. As an avid fisherman, he enjoyed taking children on his boat, the Osprey, and teaching them how to catch fish. When the fish were put into the fish box, he would toast them with a little beer and say “NaSalude Saint Peter.” Some people said the reason his fish always tasted so good was that they were well marinated. The children later started to call any large fish caught a Nasalude — that continues now into their adulthood.

He was the husband of Margaret (Peg) (Coogan) Bondorew; and stepfather to Christopher Pulliam of San Francisco, Calif., and the late Joseph (Cuzin Joe) Pulliam. He is also survived by three step-grandchildren and many loving nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services were private and under the care of the Roberts and Sons Funeral Home in Foxborough. To send an online condolence please visit www.robertsandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Donations can be made to The Shriner’s Hospital for Children, Attn: Office of Development, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607.