Obituary of Cesare J. Bonini

Cesare J. "Pete" Bonini Beloved Father We are very sad to announce the passing of Pete Bonini of South Plainfield on June 10, 2010. Our dad lived from 1927 - 2010 and as the poem The Dash says, what matters most is the dash between the years. This is the story of that man who was lovingly called "Dad" and "Uncle Pete" and "Friend" by everyone who knew him. If you wanted an example of "love" or "kindness" or "thinking the best of another" that was our Dad. There was NEVER a time when someone wouldn't need some help or advice that he wouldn't drop whatever he was doing and get in the car to go and help. It was the neighborhood chant that if something was broken "Uncle Pete will fix it," and he always did. Dad wouldn't be sitting in the backyard for very long before one of the neighborhood kids would come by for a "chat"; a neighbor just wanting to talk; a dog wanting to be petted, or beginning that summer ritual of "whose tomato plants are the biggest?" Dad had many hobbies including HAM radio, riding his bike, going for walks, and bowling - which he did with his brother and many friends - and many was the time there'd be high 5's and hugs and kisses for strikes and spares. But his lifelong love was flying! Every day he could he'd be out there flying his model planes, which he built himself, in both the air and on the water. Dad was blessed to be able to enjoy this hobby for his entire life and made many friends of all ages who he would always stop to help and teach so that they, too, could enjoy the amazing gift of flight! But the dearest love of his life was his family, which also included all our family pets, which Dad loved as if they were his children (and, they were). Dad had 3 children, but his middle child, Danny, was born with mental and physical disabilities which prevented him from doing many of the things most of us take for granted. For the rest of our lives, we were privileged to witness unconditional love as shown by Dad to Danny, and to any and everyone else who had need of human compassion. So many of our friends called our father "Dad" and he always looked at them as "his children" too. There never was a kinder heart and he always showed it to those he knew, and those he didn't… Dad was an extremely funny man and never realized it, and the strangest things would happen to him, which always gave those around him a good laugh. And Dad would laugh right along with them. He never hesitated to be in contact with family members or friends who were alone, needed help, or just a loving visit or a phone call. And no one ever heard him say a disparaging word about anyone. He was a wonderful grandfather and would always "babysit" for his granddaughters (the 4-legged kind) who loved him with joyous affection and enthusiasm! Dad was a quiet man about his faith. He believed in doing the best he could for others each and every time he could. He had a truly gentle spirit and was always ready with a hug or a word that would give comfort whenever it was needed. Dad didn't have to explain his faith, he lived it. And what gives us comfort during this tremendously sad time is the reunion Dad is having in heaven with Danny, whole and healthy, and our mother and the rest of our family. The Lord blessed us with this kind and loving man for many, healthy years, enabled us to be taught by his loving hand, and to continue to show that love and compassion to everyone we meet. What better dash could a person have? Pete was born on May 18, 1927, in Valentano, Italy, and was raised in Plainfield, New Jersey. He served in the US Naval Service in Pensacola, Florida, and worked at Bendix Corporation as an electrical engineer. Pete was the husband of his beloved and late wife Betty Bonini, and the father of his beloved and late son Danny Bonini. He was the son of the late Ida and Dominick D'Agostino and Frank Bonini, Sr. Left to cherish his memory are his beloved daughter Eileen Bonini Notte and her husband Gary, his beloved son Thomas Bonini and his wife Sheryl, his granddaughters, Zoe and Bridgette, his brother Frank, his nephew Frank and niece Laura and his great nephews Frank and Dean and his great niece Jessica, and many dear and loved friends. Friends may visit with the family on Wednesday, June 16, 2010, from 2-4 and 7-9 at the McCriskin-Gustafson Funeral Home, 2425 Plainfield Avenue, South Plainfield, NJ. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 17, at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Interment will follow at Hillside Cemetery For those who would like to remember Pete, donations may be made to CPAMC~Options at Roosevelt Park, Oak Drive, Edison NJ 08837 with a note stating that this is in memory of Pete Bonini and that the donation is designated for Options. Thank you.