Obituary of Sylvester K. Bonney
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Sylvester K. "Fra" Bonney, 77, of Remsen, passed away Thursday evening, December 13, 2012 at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare Center, New Hartford. Fra was born in Oswego, NY on February 22, 1935, the son of William H. and Elizabeth (Lawless) Bonney. He was raised and educated in Utica and went on to serve his country with the US Marines during the Korean War. On August 31, 1957, Fra married Betsy Hahn, sharing a union of 40 years until her passing in 1997. On June 20, 1998, Fra married again to Jean (Kulesza) Woolheater, with whom he spent the rest of his life. He had been employed with the US Postal Service and later with the Mohawk Valley Psychiatric Center. Fra was a member of Holy Trinity Church in Utica. He belonged to the Marine Corps. League in Boonville; to the VFW Remsen Memorial Post #982; and to the Whitestown American Legion Post #1113. Fra enjoyed golfing and bowling. He took a great deal of pride in his Irish heritage. Fra will be remembered as the man who carried "happiness underneath his hat", as he used to pass out bunnies he would pull from under his hat, just for a smile. There are over fifteen hundred of "Bonney's Bunnies" passed out across the country. Fra is survived by his wife, Jean Bonney, Remsen; two daughters and sons-in-law, Michaella and Paul Ward, Marcy, Catherine and Shawn Owens, NC; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Sean Bonney, Marcy, Kevin and Jean Bonney, Whitesboro, Dennis and Susan Bonney, Utica; four stepdaughters, Patricia and Stephen McCoy, Cicero, Georgianna Brenning and Mark Miller, Rome, Kelly and Gary Beauregard, Cold Brook, Kathy and Mark McLaughlin, Cold Brook; three stepsons, Michael and Laurie Woolheater, Remsen, Richard and Angel Woolheater, Utica, David and Melissa Woolheater, Remsen; three sisters and two brothers-in-law, Joan and Humbert Panella, Utica, Barbara Bonney, Utica, Theresa and Vincent Tropia, FL; three brothers and two sisters-in-law, William and Marge Bonney, Troy, Peter Bonney, New Hartford, James and Kathy Bonney, Utica, three brothers-in-law, Fred Rakiski, West Seneca, Robert Phlanz, Kirkville, Brian Weinshrieder, FL. Also surviving are 30 grandchildren and 5 great granchildren as well as many nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by three sisters, Patricia Rakiski, Katie Phlanz, and Mary Weinshrieder. Mr. Bonney's funeral will be held on Tuesday, December 18, 2012 at 10:00 am at Holy Trinity Church in Utica where his Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. A spring interment will take place in Glenside Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Heintz Funeral Home, 1517 Whitesboro St., Utica, Monday, from 4 - 7 pm. In lieu of flowers, those wishing, may donate to the "Toys for Tots" program in Fra's memory. A gift box will be available at the funeral home.
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Visitation
Heintz Funeral Service, Inc., West Utica
Monday, December 17, 2012
12:00 AM
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1517 Whitesboro Street
Utica, NY 13502
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Funeral Mass
Holy Trinity Church, Utica
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
10:00 AM
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Lincoln Ave.
Utica, NY 13501
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Spring Interment
Glenside Cemetery, New York Mills
Private Service
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New York Mills, NY
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In Loving Memory
Sylvester Bonney
1935 - 2012
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Whitesboro Street Location
1517 Whitesboro StreetUtica, New York 13502Phone: (315) 797-5550Fax: (315) 735-0002
Email: heintziv@aol.com
Herkimer Road Location
408 Herkimer RoadUtica, New York 13502Phone: (315) 797-5552Fax: (315) 735-0002Email: heintziv@aol.com