Login | April 25, 2025
KWGD attorney John J. Bogniard remembered
SHERRY KARABIN
Legal News Reporter
Published: January 26, 2022
A passionate and sincere attorney, driven by his faith and dedicated to his family and the community-- that’s how longtime Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co. (KWGD) attorney John J. Bogniard is being remembered by those closest to him.
The North Canton resident passed away on Dec. 1, 2021 at the age of 74.
“My father took a great interest in the lives of all his children and grandchildren,” said his son Jason Bogniard, a principal at Apple Growth Partners, an accounting and business advisory firm. “He was very supportive and the go-to person in the family when any of us had problems we were trying to figure out.
“His professional life was almost indistinguishable from his personal life,” said Jason. “His children grew up hearing all the stories about the law office at the dinner table. More than a professional association they were his family.
“He cared greatly about the people in his life whether they were clients, co-workers or family. His passion for helping people knew no bounds and he gave generously of his time and spirit.”
Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co. President John Tucker described Bogniard as a “dear friend and mentor” to many at the firm, including himself.
“John was a special attorney,” said Tucker. “He specialized in labor and employment and corporate work, but he was a trusted advisor on more than just those matters for his clients. I had the privilege of witnessing that firsthand since I joined the firm in 1996, as we worked on many matters together.”
Born in Ashland, Ohio on April 16, 1947 to the late Mary Jane (Nutter) Bogniard, Ph.D. and Dr. Robert Pancoast Bogniard, he was the youngest of their four children.
Bogniard received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Alleghany College in Meadville, Pennsylvania and his juris doctorate from The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law.
He began his legal career in 1972 as an associate at Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co.
Bogniard, who was located in the Canton office, remained at KWGD for almost 50 years. During his tenure, he served as managing director for several years and as a shareholder and director for many years.
Krugliak, Wilkins, Griffiths & Dougherty Co. Assistant Vice President, Director and Shareholder David J. Lewis first met Bogniard when he joined the firm in 2010.
“John was a sincere and genuine individual, who really focused on the person in front of him,” said Lewis. “He was a good listener and knew how to balance multiple client needs while giving needed legal advice on the matter before him.
“John continued to come into the office and contribute until the day he passed,” said Lewis. “He did not carry as heavy a workload in more recent years, but he was still a wonderful presence and resource to have at the firm.
“John was an optimistic, gracious and kind man, who never said a bad word about anyone,” Lewis said. “When the firm moved its Summit County office from downtown Akron to Hudson in March 2021, John visited our new offices and congratulated us on choosing this new location and he let me know how happy he was to see the firm grow.
“He had great vision and wonderful people skills and his contributions helped the firm to become what it is today.”
In a tribute to Bogniard’s career, KWGD senior attorney Fred J. Haupt wrote that Bogniard was “a devoted and dedicated, husband, father and grandfather and a consummate professional and supportive colleague to all of us who had the honor of practicing with him at Krugliak Wilkins.
“You don’t replace a John Bogniard, you just honor his memory.”
A longtime member of the Stark County Bar Association, Bogniard served as co-chair of the Corporate Law Committee from 1988-2016.
Bogniard also gave back to the community, serving on the boards of Gregory Industries, the AAA Ohio Auto Club, Refuge of Hope Ministries, Junior Achievement of North Central Ohio, United Way, the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Congress Lake Club, to name a few.
“Over the last five years, John and I served on two boards together—Ohio AAA and Gregory Industries in Canton,” said Tucker. “He introduced me to those boards, which he served on for close to 30 years. He was a former chairman of the board at AAA Ohio and considered his work on that board to be his second professional home.”
“My father was a Christian and loved Jesus,” said Jason. “He was a golf fanatic, enjoyed wintering in Palm Springs, California with the love of his life Diane, spending time with his family and traveling.
“He and his wife Diane traveled a great deal.
“I would say my father’s real strength was his ability to form relationships with people,” said Jason. “He was level-headed and fair in the way he approached everyone in his life, even those that did not necessarily agree with him. He never had a bad word to say about anyone.”
Funeral services were held for Bogniard on Dec. 7 at North Canton Chapel.
Along with his wife Diane, Bogniard is survived by his children Jeffrey (Debra) Bogniard, Jason (Michele) Bogniard, Andrea (Kyle) Neff and Kristin (Zac) Sgro; grandchildren Alex, Ava, Ella, Grace, Eva, Judson, Frankie and Sammy; brothers Robert Bogniard and David (Lynn) Bogniard and his sister Bethe (Sam) Greenshields.