Obituary of Michael Joseph Bonney

Michael Joseph "Joe" Bonney, a lifetime resident of Pine Bush, died Friday, February 10, 2006 at home. He was 80. The son of James Bonney and Margaret McDermott Bonney, he was born October 10, 1925 in Brooklyn, N.Y. Joe was retired from the New York State Police F Troop in Middletown, N.Y. after 21½ years. He was a member of the Church of the Infant Saviour, Pine Bush; a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict; member of the G. Paul Bettinger Post 1308, American Legion, Pine Bush; member of the V.F.W. Memorial Post 5492, Pine Bush; member of the Association of Former N.Y.S. Troopers, Inc.; member of the Troop C Veterans; PBA U.S. Trotters Association; Elks Lodge #1097, Middletown; Exempt member of the Pine Bush Fire Company; and Goldin Alumni Association. He was the first Police Commissioner for four years in the Town of Crawford, in which he helped form the Pine Bush Police Department; he was a former Councilman for four years in the Town of Crawford; member of the State of Florida Chapter of New York State Troopers; State of Florida Association of Retired New York Troopers; and retired from the Racing and Wagering Board as a Racing Official for 19 years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Carole Jeanne Stewart Bonney, at home; his loving children: Lisa Anne Garvilla and her husband, Richard, of Pine Bush, and Russell Bonney of Lubbock, Texas; his loving grandchildren: Michael Scott, Ty, Bayley, Ashley, Matthew, and Kristie; his loving sisters: Margaret Szemplenski of Green Acres, Fla. and Elnora Bonney of Green Acres, Fla.; his loving brothers: James Bonney and his wife, Barbara, of Middletown, and Thomas Bonney and his wife, Joan, of Royal Palms Beach, Fla.; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sons, James Scott and Michael Joseph Bonney Jr.; brothers, Robert Bonney and Richard Bonney; and one sister, Mary Edmonds. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2006 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. at the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc., 1525 Burlingham Rd., Pine Bush, N.Y., with a Prayer Service to be held at 8 p.m. in the funeral home. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, February 15 at 10 a.m. at Church of the Infant Saviour, Route 302, Pine Bush, N.Y. with Father Kevin Gallagher officiating. Inurnment will be in the spring in the family plot at St. Joseph's Cemetery, Wurtsboro, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Bonney Family Nursing Scholarship, Pine Bush High School, P.O. Box 670, Pine Bush, NY 12566. Arrangements are by the William M. Gagan Funeral Home, Inc. For information or directions, please visit www.wmgaganfuneralhome.com.