What do you know about Guido J. Bonetti?
Obituary
Guido J. Bonetti, October 20, 2007, Mining Journal
ISHPEMING — Guido J. Bonetti, age 89, of 113 Bessemer St., Ishpeming, passed away at 4:05 a.m. on Thursday, October 18, 2007 in Ishpeming.
Guido was born February 28, 1918 in Princeton Location, the son of A. Louis and Elvira (Leidi) Bonetti. He was a graduate of the Ishpeming High School, and went on to serve in the United States Army as a lieutenant during World War II from 1941 to 1945.
Guido J. Bonetti, an Ishpeming businessman, had been associated with the Congress Lounge and Pizza for 57 years as a partner and owner, until his retirement in 2000. Mr. Bonetti had long been active in civic affairs in Ishpeming and throughout the central Upper Peninsula.
In Ishpeming, Bonetti has served as president of five organizations: The United Fund, Chamber of Commerce, The Diplomat Club, Booster Club, and Rotary Club. He was a member of the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and was the 1984 chairman of the Ishpeming U.P. Catholic Appeals and served as an officer in the St. John’s Church Men’s Club, as well as a longtime usher at St. John’s. Bonetti served as a director of the Miners First National Bank Board for nine years, chairing various committees.
On the county level, Guido had served as president of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, Vice President of the Golden Wildcat Club and was an early leader in the development of a countywide economic expansion fund.
He had been instrumental in raising funds for numerous nonprofit organizations: United Fund, Ishpeming’s Francis A. Bell Memorial Hospital, Bay Cliff Health Camp, Ishpeming Booster Club, Suomi College, and various celebrations held in Ishpeming.
Bonetti had been the recipient of numerous awards for his civic leadership. In 1969 he received the Michigan Volunteer Leadership Award from Governor William Milliken. In 1970 the Michigan Legislature honored him for “Outstanding Civic Service.” In 1975 Northern Michigan University President John X. Jamrich awarded him with the Distinguished Citizenship President’s Award. In 1985 the Sons of Italy honored Bonetti with the Outstanding American/Italian Award. Bay Cliff honored Bonetti in 1987 with an Appreciation Award for his 30 years of service and dedication to handicapped children. The 4th of July Independence Committee selected Bonetti as the Grand Marshall of the 1992 4th of July parade. The Ishpeming Rotary Club honored Bonetti in 1993 with the Paul Harris Fellow Award, and in 2004 Guido received a plaque honoring his 50 years as a Rotarian, the longest in the Ishpeming Club’s history. Along with this he was also awarded the “Unsung Hero Award” by the Rotary Club. The Paisano Club of Ishpeming cited Bonetti for his civic service to his community.
Survivors include four sons: Michael A. (Linda Sue) Bonetti of Boynton Beach, FL, Robert L. (Linda Lou) Bonetti of Marquette, Paul G. (Eileen) Bonetti of Ishpeming, and James A. (Susan) Bonetti of Grand Rapids; 9 grandchildren: Michael R. Bonetti, Bradley (René) Bonetti, Gwen (Dean) Larson, Neil Bonetti, Daniel (Melissa) Bonetti, Jacob Bonetti, David Bonetti, Laura (Johnny) Wissmueller, and Brian Bonetti; 2 great-grandchildren: Olivia Bonetti and Brayden Bonetti; along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Rhoda, on February 4, 2006; 2 brothers: Louis and Angelo Bonetti; a sister Guida Richardson; and an infant daughter, MaryAnn Bonetti, in 1959.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, October 22, 2007 at the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Ishpeming with the Rev. Fr. Greg Heikkala to officiate. Interment will take place at the Ishpeming Cemetery.
The family will greet friends and relatives from 4 until 8 p.m. on Sunday at the Bjork & Zhulkie Funeral Home where a parish prayer service will be held at 8:00 p.m. The family will also greet friends and relatives from 10 a.m. until the time of services on Monday at the St. John’s Church.
Pallbearers will be Guido’s grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church or the Bay Cliff Health Camp.
Mr. Bonetti’s obituary may also be viewed at www.bjorkandzhulkie.com where friends and relatives may leave a note of remembrance.
