Obituary of Salvatore E Bonina Jr.

On December 15, 2017 the earth lost a gentle man. Salvatore E. Bonina, Jr. passed away peacefully at 94 years of age, surrounded by his loving family in Griffin Hospital, Derby.  Born February 4, 1923 in Stamford, Sal was the son of the late Salvatore and Felicia LaGuardia Bonina and the stepson of the late Josephine Bonina.  

Sal’s entire life revolved around his family. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather, who entertained his family with stories of his youthful escapades. Sal served proudly in both the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Army Air Corps. During World War II, Sal was stationed in the South Pacific. 

After being discharged from the army, Sal worked at Freibergs Ribbon Factory, where he met the love of his life, his wife of seventy years - Mary Giancola. Sal was the owner of the Sunrise Grill and two gas stations. Subsequently, he worked for Pitney Bowes. Sal retired from Pitney Bowes with the distinction of  serving as President of The Pitney Bowes Employees Association for twenty-two years.

In addition to his wife Mary, he is survived by his daughters Claire Sottosanti and Sally Anne Bonina, his grandchildren Vincent Bonina and his wife Holly, Michael Bonina, Jill Sottosanti and her husband Mark Malinovsky, Melissa Sproles and her husband Chris, and his six great grandchildren Kayla, Kelsey, Kassie, Lily, Rose, and Salvatore (Sammy), his sister Emilia Meno and his brother Eugene.  Also surviving is a host of nieces and nephews.  Sal was predeceased by his son-in-law James Sottosanti, his brothers Anthony, Patsy, and Leonard, and his sisters Rose and Mary.

The Bonina Family will receive the condolences and sympathy of family and friends on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 from 9am to 11am in the Lacerenza Funeral Home, 8 Schuyler Avenue, Stamford, CT.  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Church, and then internment at Fairfield Memorial Park. 

In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial donations be made to a charity of one’s choice. 

Special thanks to the Griffin ICU Department. The family wishes to thank them for their love, kindness, and care extended to Sal and his family.