Obituary for Ralph H. Bonnell Jr.
Ralph Holbrook Bonnell Jr., of Winchester passed away peacefully, surrounded by his children on March 30, 2022. Ralph was the son of the late Ralph and Mildred (Sullivan) of Winchester. Ralph graduated from Winchester High School where he played football and affectionately earned the nickname of “Bunny” for his speed on the field. His other pastime was spent with his father traveling the country to participate in various curling bonspiels.
Upon graduation, he attended Tilton Prep School followed by Tufts University. It was at Tufts that Ralph met and married Patricia Lee Court of Canton and together they had six children. Following graduation Ralph served in the US Army for five years and was a Korean War Veteran.
Ralph began his long and successful career working with his father at Bonnell Ford in Winchester, where he eventually became President, and his legacy lives on today. Ralph’s career led him to a lifelong passion with cars and antique car collecting. He loved to travel across the country in his beloved ramp truck listening to Willy Nelson.
In his later years Ralph settled in Charlestown with his spouse Paulette Recker. The two spent much of their time sailing “The Skyrocket” out of and around Boston Harbor. When Ralph wasn’t sailing his other passion was golfing at Winchester Country Club. He had the great fortune of golfing with multiple generations beginning with his father and ending with his grandsons. Ralph participated in over 70 years of the annual Father and Son Tournament. Another proud accomplishment was his five holes in one.
Ralph began running the Boston Marathon at the age of 60 and again at 63 and 65 years young!
Upon retirement Ralph and Paulette settled in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA National Golf Course where he continued his love of golf.
He is survived by his children Betsy Gengras and her husband Robert of Avon, CT, Linda Hamilton and her husband Ken of Merritt Island, FL, Brooks Bonnell of Charlestown, Curt Bonnell and his wife Becky of Salem, Steve Bonnell and his wife Kellyanne of Winchester, and Sue Heitin and her husband Sam of Salem, NH. He is the cherished grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Dear brother of Barbara Bonnell Cole of Boxford, Bruce Bonnell of Winchester, Beverly Bonnell Schroeder of Richland, WA and the late Shirley Bonnell Doe. Also survived by his stepchildren Emily Forbes and Philip Recker both of Mechanicsburg, PA.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 14th from 9am-12pm at the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte. 38) WINCHESTER. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be private. For online condolences please visit www.lanefuneral.com.
Upon graduation, he attended Tilton Prep School followed by Tufts University. It was at Tufts that Ralph met and married Patricia Lee Court of Canton and together they had six children. Following graduation Ralph served in the US Army for five years and was a Korean War Veteran.
Ralph began his long and successful career working with his father at Bonnell Ford in Winchester, where he eventually became President, and his legacy lives on today. Ralph’s career led him to a lifelong passion with cars and antique car collecting. He loved to travel across the country in his beloved ramp truck listening to Willy Nelson.
In his later years Ralph settled in Charlestown with his spouse Paulette Recker. The two spent much of their time sailing “The Skyrocket” out of and around Boston Harbor. When Ralph wasn’t sailing his other passion was golfing at Winchester Country Club. He had the great fortune of golfing with multiple generations beginning with his father and ending with his grandsons. Ralph participated in over 70 years of the annual Father and Son Tournament. Another proud accomplishment was his five holes in one.
Ralph began running the Boston Marathon at the age of 60 and again at 63 and 65 years young!
Upon retirement Ralph and Paulette settled in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA National Golf Course where he continued his love of golf.
He is survived by his children Betsy Gengras and her husband Robert of Avon, CT, Linda Hamilton and her husband Ken of Merritt Island, FL, Brooks Bonnell of Charlestown, Curt Bonnell and his wife Becky of Salem, Steve Bonnell and his wife Kellyanne of Winchester, and Sue Heitin and her husband Sam of Salem, NH. He is the cherished grandfather of 13 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren. Dear brother of Barbara Bonnell Cole of Boxford, Bruce Bonnell of Winchester, Beverly Bonnell Schroeder of Richland, WA and the late Shirley Bonnell Doe. Also survived by his stepchildren Emily Forbes and Philip Recker both of Mechanicsburg, PA.
A Memorial Visitation will be held on Thursday, April 14th from 9am-12pm at the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte. 38) WINCHESTER. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Interment will be private. For online condolences please visit www.lanefuneral.com.