Obituary of Donald Thomas Bonnel

Donald Thomas Bonnel, 8o, passed away peacefully on Aug 22, 2014, in Santa Cruz, surrounded by his loving wife of 55 years, Helen, his brother Bob Bonnel and his family. Don was born on Dec. 11, 1933, in Martinez, CA, and was the youngest of three sons of Albert and Mildred McNamara Bonnel. Raised and educated in Martinez through Junior High, Don graduated from Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose in 1951. He attended the University of San Francisco until June 1955 when he enlisted in the United States Air Force. Don was a skilled basketball player in high school and later played for the US Air Force team in North Africa and Southern Europe. While stationed at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma, he met and married Helen Charlene Dutton from Tribbey, OK. The newlyweds lived briefly in Clovis, New Mexico where Don was stationed before being discharged in 1960 and returning to the Bay Area to live, work, and start a family. They purchased their first house in Santa Clara and lived there from 1962-1968. Don worked briefly at Philco-Ford and Avnet Electronics before being hired at Plantronics, Inc. of Santa Cruz, CA in 1965. The family moved to Santa Cruz in Oct. 1968 where they purchased their second home and where Don lived and worked the rest of his life. Don was a hard working and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and community member with a deep faith in God and Catholicism which quietly guided him throughout his life. He worked for Plantronics, mostly as a purchasing manager, for 33 years, but also found time to coach his sons Little League and rec. basketball teams, attend his children's school events and graduations, attend and volunteer at St. Joseph's Church, meticulously tend to his garden and yard, and host a number of neighborhood BBQ's and other social events. Ultimately, Don was best known for his personable demeanor and neighborly ways that garnered many long lasting friendships. During Don's retirement years he continued to enjoy gardening and playing golf with his wife Helen and golf buddies at Aptos Seascape Golf Course where he also volunteered as a course Ambassador. Don and Helen also enjoyed spending time at their vacation home in Lake Tahoe with family and friends and where Don enjoyed fishing, golfing, BBQing or just sitting out on the porch relaxing and staring out over a meadow and one of his favorite trout streams. Don was also a die hard SF Giant and 49er fan who religiously watched and listened to both teams on TV and the radio, through last place finishes, to World Series and Super Bowl championships. Don is survived by his wife Helen Bonnel of Santa Cruz; his daughter Donna Bonnel of Santa Cruz; his son Steve Bonnel and his wife Ellen and Don's granddaughters Emily and Julia of Davis; his daughter Karen Nelson and her husband Todd Nelson and their dog Beca of Santa Cruz; his son John Bonnel and his wife Sara and Don's granddaughters Jerri and Billie of Albany. Don was preceded in death by his Father Albert G. Bonnel (1963); his mother Mildred L. Bonnel (1978); and his older brother John William (Jack) Bonnel (2002) A Memorial Mass will begin at 11:00am Saturday, September 13th, 2014, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 435 Monterey Ave, Capitola, CA 95010. A reception will follow downstairs in the church hall. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the I.C.F. Scholarship Fund.