Former longtime Riverside resident Paul E. Bednarz, 74, died peacefully at his home in Kennesaw, Georgia, on May 15, 2020. Mr. Bednarz was born Nov.2, 1945 at MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn. He spent the majority of his working career in public service. Mr. Bednarz also helped run the family business, Bednarz Ace Hardware in Riverside. Mr. Bednarz started his public safety career as a dispatcher with the Riverside Police Department and later became a police officer in North Riverside, where he retired a detective. He was also a member of the Riverside Fire Department, earning the rank of lieutenant. After retiring, he moved to Kennesaw, Georgia. At the age of 58, he joined the Mountain Park Georgia Volunteer Fire Department with his son, Paul A. Bednarz. Mr. Bednarz again earned the rank of lieutenant with that department and later began working for First Responder for Events EMS, a company in Atlanta providing emergency medical care to every major sports venue. He worked there with his son, Paul, often riding in the back of the ambulance with his son, a paramedic, when he had to transport a patient to the hospital. He thoroughly enjoyed working to help people. He was always willing to do what he could to help. Mr. Bednarz enjoyed vacationing in south Florida at the family's villa. He loved to fish and ride in his convertible. Mr. Bednarz is survived by his wife, Maryann Bednarz; his sons Paul A. Bednarz, John Bednarz, and David Bednarz; three grandchildren; one great grandchild; his brother, Anthony L. (Marianne) Bednarz; and three nieces and one nephew; Krista Varady, Lisa Gentile, Charles Bednarz and Paula Savino.

A Memorial Visitation is scheduled for Thursday, July 9, 2020 from 5:00 pm -7:30 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Georgia Firefighters Burn Foundation.   Please follow the link to donate in Paul's memory:

https://www.gfbf.org/