OBITUARY
Deacon F. Ramon Bonnano, 79
Published: 12.07.07
FORT WALTON BEACH | Following a long illness, Deacon F. Ramon “Ray” Bonanno died Nov. 24, one week before his 80th birthday.
Deacon Bonanno was born in Baton Rouge, La., and attended Catholic schools there. He was a student at Louisiana State University when he received an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Upon graduation in 1950, he entered the Air Force and served in Korea. He later earned a master’s degree from Iowa State University and became one of the first instructors at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo.
He earned a doctorate in metallurgy from the University of Arizona and served as chief of advanced metallurgical studies branch, Air Force Materials Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. He retired from the Air Force as a lieutenant colonel in 1975.
After retirement, Deacon Bonanno returned to teaching, becoming an assistant professor at the University of Southern California. He also taught at the University of Denver, Troy State University, the University of Arkansas, St. Mary Catholic School and Rocky Bayou Christian School in Niceville.
In 1980, he was ordained to the permanent diaconate for the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee. He served as director of the Office of Ecumenical and Interreligious Affairs, as pastoral director of the deacon formation program and as a member of the diocesan Tribunal.
While serving at Eglin Air Force Base, he continued his service of pastoral work and teaching, assisting in chapel programs around the world, including Germany, Guam and Korea.
Deacon Bonanno spent most of his 27 years of ministry serving St. Mary Parish, where many remember him in particular for his work with the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults program there.
Deacon Bonanno is survived by Audrey, his wife of 56 years, and their sons Rick, Jay and Mark, and daughter-in-law Debbie; his brother, Dr. Joseph Bonanno; sisters Shirley Pstorius and JoAnn Tannert; and six grandchildren.
Bishop John H. Ricard, SSJ, celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial Nov. 28 at St. Mary Parish, assisted by priests and deacons of the diocese. Msgr. Michael Cherup, pastor of St. Mary who concelebrated the Mass, praised Audrey Bonanno for her tender care of her husband during his long illness. He also commended Deacon Bonanno for his deep devotion and faithful service to his family and to the people of God, especially those at St. Mary’s.
Deacon Jerry Williamson, director of deacon personnel for the diocese, also remarked that Deacon Bonanno had served as a “wonderful role model in leading and shepherding people on their journeys to enter the church through RCIA. He touched many lives in his ministry to the people of St. Mary’s and, truly, around the world.”
Deacon Bonanno was buried at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola Nov. 29 with full military honors.
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