Obituary of Mario J. Bonola

Mario J. Bonola, 85, of New Britain, died Sunday at the Hospital of Central Connecticut in New Britain. Born in Naguaudo, Italy, he lived most of his life in New Britain and was the widower of Angeline (Passamano) Bonola. He was employed for many years at Marlin Rockwell in Plainville, retiring in 1983. While there, he was chairman of the Credit Union. Mario served his country in the U.S. Army during World War II in the 11th Armor Division in the European Theater Operation where he was awarded the following medals: the Combat Infantry Badge, the Bronze Star, the Good Conduct Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, the European African/ Middle Europe Medal with two campaigns, and the Rhineland Central Europe Medal (Germany). After retiring from Marlin Rockwell, Mario became a volunteer driver for the Veterans where he received a pin for the mileage. He also was acknowledged for the many gallons of blood he donated. He was president of the Italian Fraternal Society from 1985 thru 2000, he served as Commander of the DAV, Hardware City Division, was Union President of the UAW, was a member of the VFW, served on the Veteran's Commission for the City of New Britain, was awarded the Veteran's Public Service Award from CCSU in 1991, was the parade marshal on many Memorial Days and Columbus Days in New Britain, and was involved for many years with the Poinsettia Drives for convalescent home and the Italian Fraternal Society and Fruit Drives for the Rocky Hill Veteran's Home. Mr. Bonola is survived by four daughters Linda and her husband Dr. Dennis Gianoli of Farmington, Judith and her husband Ronald Bielomyza of Kensington, Joanne and her husband Peter Ligas of East Haddam, Nancy and her husband Gary Barwikowski of Kensington, his son Dr. Joseph and his wife Kristen Bonola of Roanoke Texas; his grandchildren Elizabeth and her husband Kevin Anderson, Amy and her husband Dr. Mark Tousignant, Dr. Daniel Gianoli and his wife Mayumi, Andrew Bielomyza, Micah, Jacob, Kaitlyn and Isabella Bonola, Jessica and her husband Jeffrey Hess, Melissa and her husband Stephen Hurley, Matthew and his wife Joanne Bielomyza, Nicholas Barwikowski and Alexander Barwikowski; six great grandchildren Alexis, Aidan and Collin Anderson, Chloe Bielomyza, Nathan Hess, and Madelyn Tousignant, two brothers Bruno and his wife Virginia Bonola of New Britain and Armand and his wife Marie Bonola of Ormand Beach, FL; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his great grandchild Matthew Anderson. Funeral services will be Friday 9:00 A.M. from the Farrell Funeral Home 110 Franklin Sq. New Britain, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 A.M. at St. Ann's Church, North St. New Britain. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery, New Britain. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Ann's Church 47 Clark Street New Britain, CT 06051, Boston Children's Hospital 300 Longwood Ave. Boston, MA 02115, or to Shriner's Hospital 516 Carew St. Springfield, MA 061104.