Submitted photo Johnny Bodkin holds up one of the presents he received during his retirement party at ERCC. Bodkin has retired after 55 years with the organization.

ELKINS — When Johnny Bodkin started his career at Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center, Richard Nixon was president of the United States and gas was 35 cents per gallon. A lot has changed over the years, but two things have remained constant — ERCC’s commitment to providing complete compassionate care and Bodkin was there to help them do so.

But now Bodkin is passing the torch. After 55 years of working for ERCC, he has retired.

“Johnny has been a part of the ERCC family for a really long time,” said Tara Shaver, administrator. “We’re really going to miss having him around.”

Bodkin was hired in 1969 before Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center was even called Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center. In 1969 it was part of Memorial General Hospital.

“A lot has changed since I first started,” Bodkin said. “We started out in the other building (downtown Elkins) but this new facility sure is nice.”

Bodkin worked as an environmental service aid at the facility. During his 55 years with ERCC, he has developed a lot of relationships with the residents at the facility.

“I really like talking and visiting with the residents,” he said.

Bodkin, whose last day at the facility was May 31, said he already misses his coworkers and the residents. When asked what he was going to do now that he is retired, he answered that he plans to spend a lot of time with his family.

“And I’m going to drive everyone crazy,” he added with a laugh.

ERCC held a retirement party for Bodkin on June 7. During the festivities he received numerous retirement gifts including: a Citizen watch with ERCC’s logo and Bodkin’s name and years of service on the face.

He also received a framed print, an 18-inch round mirror with Bodkin’s 55-year logo engraved on the surface, an ERCC baseball cap, a retirement card signed by ERCC employees, and a Yeti cup with the 55-year logo. Bodkin also received a $5,500 retirement check.

Light refreshments provided by the ERCC Dietary Department and Great Harvest were served at the event along with a cake with the 55-year logo.

ERCC is a 111-bed, non-profit, short and long-term skilled and intermediate care and rehabilitation facility located in Elkins. A wide range of care and rehabilitation services is provided at the facility by more than 150 full-time and part-time employees. For more information, go to http://www.ercc.biz.