In Loving Memory ...

Donald A. Bonenfant

August 9,1931 - July 17, 2006

(Revised on 8/9/2012)

Six years is upon us already! I cannot believe how quickly time passes! I am taking this time to honor the memory of a wonderful man, the man whom I called "Dad" for nearly 24 years. He was one of the most incredible males in my entire life ~ a jovial soul who never uttered a bad word about anyone or anything, a man who befriended even those no one else would befriend, a man who laughed and joked until he slipped away quietly, in the wee hours of the morning on July 17th, 2006, leaving the physical pain behind forever.

"Baby Don", as my six siblings and I lovingly called him, was a man of true honor and impeccable integrity. And he always laughed that he would rather die "an old clown than an old grouch" and that's exactly how he transitioned: He joked with the admitting physicians during his last hours, even though he could not catch his breath. Don died from complications of congestive heart failure (CHF), and he'd become very short of breath in the last years of his illness.

Don Bonenfant was a happy, loving, friendly Soul ... the kind of man who never said horrible words about anyone, and who had a profound well of compassion, which emanated outwards towards anyone he came into contact with. He was down-to-earth, loving, non-judgemental, family oriented. Even with his nine step-children (he had one biological son and 9 step-children!), 

Baby Don would always say, "There's no such thing as steps in my family! You are ALL my children!" The best part of that comment was that we all knew he wasn't just giving lip service, he truly meant it from his core. "Baby Don" was a truly magnificent soul, whose light shown brightly in this world because he genuinely cared for others. 

Don was a loving, forgiving Soul who loved his wife, my Mom, as much as he loved himself ~ sometimes even more. He treated everyone he met with the same respect and level of friendship that he treated his long time friends. He loved and accepted his children's partners as much as he loved and accepted his own children.

Baby Don befriended the "outcasts" of society as easily as he befriended anyone else. He did not separate or catagorize other human beings ~ EVERYONE WAS EQUAL in Don's eyes. It certainly is rare to find someone like Don, someone who accepts another human just because they ARE human, without any other judgement or unreasonable expectations.

So today and always, Baby Don will be very sadly missed, and his memory and the love he spread around will NEVER be forgotten. Today and always ... rest peacefully in the arms of your Creator ... A soul as loving as yours is definitely in a much more peaceful, tranquil place. 

I'm sure you are smiling over all of us, now.

I miss you, Dad (Baby Don)! Much Love Always ....