John L. “Jack” Bonzey
Beloved husband, father, brother and friend Jack Bonzey of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho passed away on February 27, 2023, a few months shy of his 90th birthday.
He was born June 5, 1933, in Worcester, Massachusetts to John L. and Mary A. Thomas.
Jack grew up in Auburn, Massachusetts with his younger brother Ron. He attended Auburn High School and joined the Navy in October 1950 and was honorably discharged August 1954. He attended Worcester Jr. College where he achieved a degree in engineering. It was at this time he played semi-pro hockey and was paid $5 a game!
Jack got tired of working in the cold temperatures and headed west to Orange County in 1961 as a surveyor and civil engineer for Division of Highways. He applied for a position in Eureka, California and headed north. It was here he met his wife Betty Boggs from Vacaville, California. They married on April 2, 1966 in Vacaville and passed through Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on their honeymoon trip to British Columbia. They decided eventually they would retire there. Betty and Jack celebrated their 54th Wedding Anniversary in 2020.
In August 1967, their only child Michelle was born. The Bonzey family made their home in Hydesville, California where Jack stayed as a civil engineer and eventually retired as a resident engineer for District 1 CalTrans in October 1993.
Jack was a 4-H Leader, a member of Professional Engineers of California Government, a fuchsia grower, avid gardener and a Model A Ford club member.
He was a diehard Boston Bruins Hockey fan dating back to his early ice-skating years. He followed local player Tyler Johnson of the Chicago Black Hawks, but NEVER gave up on the Bruins!
After retirement, Jack and Betty did make their way to Kootenai County. They built and enjoyed operating the beautiful log Ponderosa Bed and Breakfast in Athol for 13 years. In 2009, they sold The Ponderosa and moved to the city of Coeur d’Alene.
Jack is survived by his daughter Michelle (Cato) Livingston of Coeur d’Alene, Idaho; brother Ron (Barbara) Bonzey of Auburn, Massachusetts; his nieces and nephews and his special friends that made his life complete: Michael Stapleton, The Sweens, Bob Burton and The Wurmlingers. Jack will be happily remembered and sadly missed. He was preceded in death by his wife Betty in October 2020 and his parents.
Private services will be held later, and a Celebration of Life will be held June 5, 2024. Michelle would like to thank the many wonderful people who gave great care to dad at Advanced Health Care of Riverstone, Advanced Hospice of North Idaho, and Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller Hospice House.
In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Advanced Hospice of North Idaho, Hospice of North Idaho Schneidmiller Hospice House, or Frontier Ice Hockey Arena. Keep skating dad and Go Bruins!!