Obituary for Lawrence George "Lawrie" Bonanno
LAWRENCE BONANNO
Age 87 of Burlington, Ontario
In 1931 the curtain rose with the birth of Lawrie within the sound of Bow Bells in London England. On July 16th, 2019 the curtain fell for the final time as Lawrie passed peacefully at The Carpenter Hospice in Burlington, Ontario after a brief, but hard fought battle with cancer.
At 17, Lawrie began his studies at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough England, after 7 years he completed an apprenticeship winning first class in Aeronautical Engineering. Soon after, he met Fay at a dance night at the local hostel where he was boarding. After graduation he emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario and 9 months later Fay followed him to Canada and they were married in July 1955.
He is survived by wife Fay, son Trevor and wife Karen, daughter Lynda and husband Keith, five wonderful grandchildren Clair, Kevin (Karen), Chris (Allison), Michelle and Jessica, and Nora a new great granddaughter who made him smile every time he saw her. He is survived by his sister Maureen and sister-in-law Iris, and predeceased by Victor and Veronica.
Lawrie started his career in Canada at the Research and Development Lab in Hamilton. A number of years later he established his own company; Bonanno Systems, where he specialized in printing press installation and maintenance, instrumentation of specialized components for hydro electric generating stations, and custom prototype machining. A full time endeavor until his 83rd year when he began to slow down due to illness. Early hobbies included sailing his boat Scavenger, in Lake Ontario, target shooting for the Hamilton Shooting Club, watch and jewelry repair, camping and canoeing in Algonquin Park and doing production, sound and lighting for local dance company recitals. His hobbies eventually landed him at Burlington Little Theatre (Theatre Burlington) where he orchestrated sound, lighting, set design, and producing numerous plays. He was instrumental in the building of the Drama Centre in Central Park. He received numerous awards from Theatre Burlington, Theatre Ontario, and the Western Ontario Drama League, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism from the Ontario Ministry of Culture.
Visitation will be held at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stoplight north of QEW), BURLINGTON, 905-632-3333, on Friday July 19th from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Life will take place at St Luke’s Church (1371 Elgin Street, Burlington) on Saturday July 20th at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Private cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Carpenter Hospice in Burlington would be appreciated.
Age 87 of Burlington, Ontario
In 1931 the curtain rose with the birth of Lawrie within the sound of Bow Bells in London England. On July 16th, 2019 the curtain fell for the final time as Lawrie passed peacefully at The Carpenter Hospice in Burlington, Ontario after a brief, but hard fought battle with cancer.
At 17, Lawrie began his studies at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in Farnborough England, after 7 years he completed an apprenticeship winning first class in Aeronautical Engineering. Soon after, he met Fay at a dance night at the local hostel where he was boarding. After graduation he emigrated to Hamilton, Ontario and 9 months later Fay followed him to Canada and they were married in July 1955.
He is survived by wife Fay, son Trevor and wife Karen, daughter Lynda and husband Keith, five wonderful grandchildren Clair, Kevin (Karen), Chris (Allison), Michelle and Jessica, and Nora a new great granddaughter who made him smile every time he saw her. He is survived by his sister Maureen and sister-in-law Iris, and predeceased by Victor and Veronica.
Lawrie started his career in Canada at the Research and Development Lab in Hamilton. A number of years later he established his own company; Bonanno Systems, where he specialized in printing press installation and maintenance, instrumentation of specialized components for hydro electric generating stations, and custom prototype machining. A full time endeavor until his 83rd year when he began to slow down due to illness. Early hobbies included sailing his boat Scavenger, in Lake Ontario, target shooting for the Hamilton Shooting Club, watch and jewelry repair, camping and canoeing in Algonquin Park and doing production, sound and lighting for local dance company recitals. His hobbies eventually landed him at Burlington Little Theatre (Theatre Burlington) where he orchestrated sound, lighting, set design, and producing numerous plays. He was instrumental in the building of the Drama Centre in Central Park. He received numerous awards from Theatre Burlington, Theatre Ontario, and the Western Ontario Drama League, The Burlington Performing Arts Centre, and the Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism from the Ontario Ministry of Culture.
Visitation will be held at SMITH’S FUNERAL HOME, 1167 Guelph Line (one stoplight north of QEW), BURLINGTON, 905-632-3333, on Friday July 19th from 3-5 pm and 7-9 pm. A Celebration of Life will take place at St Luke’s Church (1371 Elgin Street, Burlington) on Saturday July 20th at 1:00 pm. Reception to follow in the Parish Hall. Private cremation has taken place. In lieu of flowers, donations to The Carpenter Hospice in Burlington would be appreciated.