Michael Joseph Bonner

Michael Joseph Bonner, 65, of Middletown, son of the late Jesse and Marian (Greene) Bonner, entered peacefully into eternal rest, Tuesday, June 25, 2019 after a short battle with adenocarcinoma. Michael was the beloved husband and devoted partner to Mary Alice “Candy” (Hunter) Bonner for over 43 years. Michael lived all of his life in Middletown where he attended Middletown public schools and where he met his wife in grammar school and Long River Village. He played his favorite past time, basketball at Woodrow Wilson high school and was a member of the Class of 1971. After high school, Michael was employed as a machinist for 38 years by Pratt and Whitney Aircraft in Middletown until his retirement in 2010. Michael was a member of the Cross Street AME Zion Church, where the Rev. Moses L. Harvill was his pastor. Michael’s love for basketball would show greatly in later years as he started coaching. He was an assistant and later head coach in the Middletown Parks and Recreation’s Prof Gallitto Basketball league for children ages 7 to 17. Michael coached dozens of kids on and off the court and won several championships during his tenure as a coach. He was an avid sports watcher of both basketball and football. His all-time favorite basketball team is the Los Angeles Lakers and of course his favorite football team was the Dallas Cowboys. On any given day, you can catch Mike adorned in some way wearing his beloved team. Michael was truly #DC4L!

Besides his loving wife, Michael is survived by his daughter, Erica Hunter of Middletown, grandson Brian Hunter of Middletown, and great grandson Caiden Hunter of Meriden, two brothers, Maurice (Bonnie) Bonner of  CT, and James “Butch” Nelson of Philadelphia,PA,  sister Gertrude “Trudy” (Charlie) Mitchell of Philadelphia, PA., a very special person to whom was like a second daughter Marlise “Eddie” Wilson of Bowie, MD and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Michael was predeceased by four brothers David Nelson, Jesse “Etress” Bonner, Arnold “Ronnie” Bonner, and Richard “Ricky” Bonner ; one sister, Josephita “Penny” Brown and his Godparents, John Ezell and Katherine Ezell.     

Funeral services will be held on Friday, July 5, 2019 at 11:00 am at Cross Street AME Zion Church, 440 West Street, Middletown.  There will be no burial.  Family and friends may call on Friday morning from 10:00 to 11:00 am at the church.  To share memories or send condolences to the family, please visit www.doolittlefuneralservice.com.

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