Robert 'Bob' Bonney, 83, of Escalon passed away peacefully on Friday, Jan. 4, 2013 surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in Clovis, New Mexico on Oct. 2, 1929, he moved with his family, mother Audrey and sisters Carol, Betty, and Shirley, to Berkeley when his father, Bert Bonney, was employed with Standard Oil to help build the first oil fields in Saudi Arabia in the 1930s. Bob was the "man of the house" for his family while his father was overseas for years at a time. His family then moved to Escalon and he graduated from Escalon High School in 1947 where he lettered in several sports.
He was offered a baseball scholarship at Cal Poly but decided to serve his country and enlisted in the Navy as an avionics technician. He was stationed primarily in Hawaii but traveled the world on good will missions. Upon his return Mr. Bonney worked for over 45 years in the trade as a sheet metal journeyman and his family was always his priority.
He was a skillful craftsman and made breathtaking wood works with his scroll saw and was an avid golfer. He was the consummate 'great guy' and helped make wonderful memories with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Bonney and children, sons Bill Bonney and Brian Bonney, daughter Shelley Fagin; Linda's children Rich Larrew, Cliff Larrew, and Margie Tulley; a sister, Shirley Bonney; and 11 grandchildren, who referred to him as 'Poppa Bob': Chelsea, Keegan, Lauren, Sarah, Molly, Jeannette, Tracy, Haley, Chris, Amanda and Cliff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356-9259, or visit www.hospiceheart.org.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Jan. 16, 2013
Born in Clovis, New Mexico on Oct. 2, 1929, he moved with his family, mother Audrey and sisters Carol, Betty, and Shirley, to Berkeley when his father, Bert Bonney, was employed with Standard Oil to help build the first oil fields in Saudi Arabia in the 1930s. Bob was the "man of the house" for his family while his father was overseas for years at a time. His family then moved to Escalon and he graduated from Escalon High School in 1947 where he lettered in several sports.
He was offered a baseball scholarship at Cal Poly but decided to serve his country and enlisted in the Navy as an avionics technician. He was stationed primarily in Hawaii but traveled the world on good will missions. Upon his return Mr. Bonney worked for over 45 years in the trade as a sheet metal journeyman and his family was always his priority.
He was a skillful craftsman and made breathtaking wood works with his scroll saw and was an avid golfer. He was the consummate 'great guy' and helped make wonderful memories with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Linda Bonney and children, sons Bill Bonney and Brian Bonney, daughter Shelley Fagin; Linda's children Rich Larrew, Cliff Larrew, and Margie Tulley; a sister, Shirley Bonney; and 11 grandchildren, who referred to him as 'Poppa Bob': Chelsea, Keegan, Lauren, Sarah, Molly, Jeannette, Tracy, Haley, Chris, Amanda and Cliff.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in his memory to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356-9259, or visit www.hospiceheart.org.
The Escalon (Calif.) Times
Jan. 16, 2013
