In Memoriam

The Seafarers’ Union of Russia regrets to inform that today Alexander Mikhailovich Bodnya, Deputy Chairman of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia, Chairman of the Baltic Territorial Organization of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia, passed away at the age of 72. He was a cheerful, kind and caring person. 

Alexander Bodnya was born on November 9, 1951 in Kinel, Samara Region. He graduated from the Leningrad Maritime School specializing in ship navigation and then worked on the ships of the Baltic Shipping Company. He also participated in strategically important voyages to Cuba and the Arctic Region. Having a successful maritime career and already being very experienced in the field, he graduated as an extramural student from the Admiral S.O. Makarov State Maritime Academy specializing in maritime transport management. After many years dedicated to the fleet, Alexander Bodnya started working at the shore, but his work was still connected with the sea. 

He became one of those seafarers who stood at the origins of the Seafarers’ Union of Russia. Back in 1989, the Baltic Shipping Company’s seafaring personnel union led by the young and enterprising chairman A.M. Bodnya raised before the Central Committee of the Trade Union of Maritime and River Fleet Workers the issue about the establishment of a separate union of seafarers with the aim to unite all the union committees of seafaring personnel of different shipping companies of the USSR. As a result, SUR became the legal successor of the Inter-Republican Professional Union of Seafarers of the USSR created at that time. 

Alexander Bodnya was a responsible and goal-oriented person, always moving forward with confidence, accepting challenges with dignity and achieving his goals. He was not afraid of any difficulties in his life or at work; he demonstrated great creativity when solving the issues.

Thanks to his efforts, the Baltic Territorial Organization of SUR became an integral entity, a team of professionals who sincerely love their work and are always ready to help union members. Over the years, Alexander Bodnya has helped a huge number of seafarers reaching out to SUR, he never refused helping those who needed it most. He was the person to be asked for help when needed. At any moment, he rushed to face the circumstances and made every effort to achieve justice for the fleet workers. He always knew how to cheer up, provide support, find a way out of a difficult situation, was a responsive and open person, a man with a really big heart.

For his conscientious labor and high professionalism during many years, A.M. Bodnya was awarded the honorary title “Veteran of the Baltic Shipping Company”, the medal “Veteran of Labor”, the jubilee medal “300 Years of the Russian Navy”, the badge “Honored Worker of the Marine Fleet”, and the badge “Honored Worker of Transport of the Russian Federation”.

Until his very last day, Alexander Bodnya worked for the navy and seafarers with good faith and fidelity. He was a loyal comrade, devoted friend, loving husband, father and grandfather. 

The Seafarers’ Union of Russia expresses its condolences to the family, relatives, friends and associates of Alexander Bodnya. We cherish the memory of Alexander Bodnya!