Carmel “Carm” Bonito, age 91, of Waterford, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Forestview Healthcare Center where he resided for over a year. Born in Erie on October 14, 1922, he was a son of Anthony and Susan Verdoni Bonito. He married Alice Mooradian on October 7, 1949 and she survives.
Carm was a well-known local sports figure from his early high school years to his many years of coaching. He graduated from Wesleyville High School in 1941 where he lettered in football, basketball, wrestling and baseball. He played football, baseball and wrestled at Findlay College in Ohio before joining the U.S. Navy in 1941. After four years of service, Carm enrolled at Bowling Green University where he played football and was captain of the wrestling team for three years, graduating in 1949 with a B.S. in Health, P.E. and Recreation.
His teaching career started at Waterford Academy in 1949 and ended with his retirement from Fort LeBoeuf High School in 1982. During those years he served as: Athletic Director 1949-82; basketball coach 1949-51; baseball coach 1949-59, including Eastern Champs three years and Erie County Champs two years; and football coach 1949-82, including Erie County Champs three years with an undefeated team in 1962.
Carm was the first Certified Athletic Trainer in Erie County and served as trainer for the Erie Vets semi-pro football team. After retiring from Fort LeBoeuf, he was the football trainer for Mercyhurst College 1982-84. Carm was privileged to serve as County Coach in the Save-An-Eye Football Classic three times– he also played in the game as a high school senior.
Carm organized the first recreation program at Fort LeBoeuf Schools, and he enjoyed playing in the American Legion Baseball League, the Wesleyville and Waterford County Leagues, the Lake Shore League and Glenwood League, and the Senior County League. He was past president of the Erie County Coaches Association, was a PIAA wrestling official for 25 years, and was inducted into the Fort LeBoeuf Hall of Fame in 1996, the Wesleyville-Iroquois-Lawrence Park Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Metropolitan PA Sports Hall of Fame, Erie Chapter, in 1999.
Carm enlisted in the Navy in 1941 after the Pearl Harbor attack. He served in the Pacific on two destroyers, the USS Maddox and the USS Hastings, and was involved in the invasions of Iwo Jima, Okinawa, Philippines, Luzon, Marshall Islands, and Tokyo Bay. He was honorably discharged in 1945 as Gunner’s Mate First Class.
He was a member of the Waterford Lions Club and recipient of the Melvin Jones Award, and he enjoyed hunting, dog training, hiking, fitness, reading and traveling.
Carm is survived by his devoted wife of 64 years, Alice; his two children, James A. Bonito and wife Patricia of Waterford, and Patricia A. Sarring and husband Rudy of Edinboro; his granddaughter, the joy of his life, Allyson C. Sarring; two brothers, Joseph Bonito and wife Sandra, and Anthony Bonito and wife Tabby, all of Port Huron, MI; and two sisters-in-law, Teresa Mooradian and Patsy Mooradian, both of Erie. Carm also had a sister, Theresa Lindway, who preceded him in death.
Visiting hours will be at Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Monday, July 21, 2014 from 2-4 and 6-9 p.m. The funeral service will be at Asbury United Methodist Church, West 2nd Street, Waterford on Tuesday morning at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Linda Ruth of Oasis of Love Church, Edinboro. Private burial with military honors will follow at Lakeside Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to the Fort LeBoeuf Football Boosters, c/o Diane Lewis, PO Box 993, Waterford, PA 16441, the Fort LeBoeuf Historical Society, PO Box 622, Waterford, or the Art Steves Room Fund, c/o Greg Kuzma, 8313 Old French Road, Erie, PA 16509.
Alice,
I just learned of the passing of Cousin Carm today. I was in Harrisburg when he passed and my Daughter called me today and told me. I am very sorry that I was not here to pay my respects but I will always remember the times Carm, my Dad and I went rabbits hunting. He was a great person and will be very much missed. My sincere sympathy to you Alice.
Wendall Sandell
Dear Mrs. Bonito, Jim, and Patti,
We extend our deepest sympathy to you and your family. Mr. Bonito was a wonderful person, teacher, coach, and friend. It was truly an honor to know him. We hold fond memories of Coach as a hunting buddy of Becky’s dad and a wonderful teacher. The whole community of Waterford will feel his passing. Please know that we are thinking of you at this time.
With Sincere Sympathy,
Greg and Becky Charlton
Alice, Tito, and Patty, We were so sorry to hear of Carm’s passing. We didn’t know him well, but he obviously made a wonderful impression on the community and he raised a great family. Know you are all in our thoughts and prayers. Take care. (We really miss seeing you Tito)
Alice, Jimmy & Patty,
The world has lost a wonderful man but we can rest easy knowing that he is in a better place.
I owe Carm for much of my success. It was because of him that I chose to enter health care and ultimately became an Associate Professor of Radiologic Sciences at one of the premiere schools in the country.
I remember fondly riding to the football games in the pickup with him & Mr. Bachman, sharing his hunting stories & complaining about the diesel exhaust fumes from the bus and how it reminded him of his days on-board ship.
I only hope that I will have half the impact that Carm has had on so many young lives.
Prayer For Sailors
O God, your fondest feelings must be reserved for the least pretentious and most genuine of us. Sailors must be your favorites. Some of us haven’t found the virtues of humility, soft spoken or gentleness. Some of us tend to lead with our jaw and seem more ready to fight than switch. After long days at sea, you can tell your sailors by their red eyes and grubbiness, but their wills match their strong backs, and their
respect and concern for each other is a wondrous thing. They are the salt of the deck–and their saltiness is honest and open. We are grateful for them as you love them especially, bless each one on Carm Bonito, we ask this in your name. Amen.
Mrs. Bonito & Family;
I am saddened by Carm’s passing. He had a great impact on me. I was a poor football player, but he always treated me with the same respect that he gave to the better players. He let me know that he believed in me and it inspired me to succeed in other arenas. He was an uncommonly good man who was sucha magnificent role model for so many of us.
Dear Alice,
I was saddened to learn of Coach’s passing. How do we ever begin to express our sense of loss of this kind man. Coach was so instrumental in the positive development of so many young people in Waterford and Erie County. He left a legacy of decency, loyalty, compassion, ethics, and most of all love by encouragement to the many youth he interacted with over the years. Coach had his own special way with each of us that let us know we were special. His sense of humor was legendary and he made it a point to be welcoming to all that crossed his path. I for one know how he helped guide me through rough waters regardless of how lost and clueless I was, Coach had patience and persistence on his side to deal with many of us that were hardheaded. My story is not unique, as I know many others that have similar stories. The life lessons taught in the classroom and on the playing field were lessons in life that prepared many of us for our bright futures.
I pray that you and your family find solace and peace through this difficult time by knowing Coach made a huge contribution to society by loving his country, community, students, and most of all his family.
Although I will not be able to attend Coaches’ celebration of life, my family’s thoughts and prayers are with you.
God Speed Coach!
Jim Husband
Mrs. Bonito, Jim and Family,
It is so hard to express my true feelings for someone so important to me in my life.
Without his influence I certainly would not have followed in his footsteps and became a coach and teacher.
What a man…… I will always love him ……
Tito… We are sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man, who touched so many lives. You are in our thoughts and prayers. From Andy, Lorri, Brian, and Sarah Schulz
My prayers go out to the family. I had Carm as a teacher when I was in school in the 70’s. I would get to see him some times when I was in town and next door seeing Terry. I remember he loved his duck hunting.
Wish we could be there with you. You are in our prayers. Love, Tabby and Antone
Dear Alice and Family, My sincere heartfelt prayers are with you all during this loss of your loved one. May God surround you all with his love, peace and comfort. It is always hard to say goodbye to the ones we love so very much, but when we know that they are with our Lord we have much to rejoice about. Let the fond memories help to carry you through. God bless you all! Dorinda Andrews