Andy CloseDennis L. Bonace, 89, formerly residing at 10 East Third Avenue, Warren, PA, died on June 10, 2022, at Saint Mary’s at Asbury Ridge in Erie, PA with family by his side.
Dennis was born the son of the late Robert and Vera Bonace in Warren, PA on September 19, 1932. He was a 1951 graduate of Warren High School and served as Co-Chairman of the class’s 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 55th class reunions. He was employed by Bell of Pennsylvania, Bell Atlantic, and Verizon for 38 years, and he had various vocational and managerial positions in their Warren, Bradford, and DuBois Sub-Districts.
He retired in 1989 and became an active and concerned citizen for Warren County, the City of Warren, and the Warren County School Board governing bodies. He was an advocate for writing letters to the editor on his views. It was very important to him to try and make positive changes for the community. He was appointed by the Warren County Commissioners to serve as their 911 Coordinator in 1992 and served on the local School Board’s budget committee, Act 1, Act 72, and as the Moderator of the School Board’s Tax Commission.
Dennis was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Warren and served in his younger years as an usher, deacon, treasurer of the Men’s Jefferson Sunday School Class, coach of the boys’ basketball team, and as one of their assistant scoutmasters. He recently donated the family’s baby grand piano to the church. He was also a member of the Telephone Pioneers of America, the Warren High School Class of 1951 Men’s Breakfast Club, and McDonalds’s 6:30 AM Coffee Club.
He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and wife of 64 years, Marilyn Lyke Bonace, on May 26, 2016, his parents and his step father, Steve Petrewski, his beloved daughter, Brenda Bonace Martin, of Pittsburgh, PA on April 25, 2008, brothers Robert E. Bonace (Anne) of Sarasota, Florida, and Louis Allen Bonace (Kay) of Warren, PA, brothers in law Robert “Spinner” Johnson and Donald Mahaffey, as well as other much loved family members and friends. He loved the family’s dogs that they had over the years, Jenny, and Annie. Pam finds comfort knowing he has been reunited with her mom, Brenda, and other loved ones.
Dennis is survived by his beloved daughter, Pamela Bonace Lyle, and her husband Greg, of Warren, PA, his grandson Brendan Scott Lyle and wife, Sarah, of Pittsburgh, PA, and his three sisters- in-law Jacqueline Lyke Johnson of Warren, PA, Jean Lyke Swanson (Dave) of Warren, PA, Margaret Kay Lyke Mahaffey of Russell, and several nieces and nephews.
In compliance with Mr. Bonace’s request, there will be no viewing hours, and his funeral service will be a private family service. Interment will be at Oakland Cemetery.
Anyone desiring to acknowledge his passing may do so by donating to Paws Along the River located at 212 Elm Street in Warren, PA 16365, the Warren Public Library located at 205 Market Street in Warren PA 16365, Hospice of Warren County located at 1 Main Avenue, Warren, PA 16365, and the Employee Fund at Saint Mary’s Home of Erie, 1781 West 26th Street in Erie, PA 16508, or the charity of your choice. The family is very grateful to the staff at Saint Mary’s and to his UPMC Hospice team for the care Dennis received.
Pam would like to thank all those who were in touch with her dad these past years. It was a tremendous comfort to him and to her. There was never a better family man or father to two daughters…the memories are abundant and cherished. His love for being Brendan’s grandpa was immeasurable…Dennis was so proud of him. He was very happy that Brendan and Sarah found one another and was very much looking forward to becoming a great grandfather this coming November. We know he, Mom, and Brenda will be smiling down on this blessed event. Dennis was so appreciative of how Greg took care of Pam and knows that Greg will continue to do so for her and the family.
The Donald E. Lewis Funeral Home, Inc., Warren PA, 16365 has been entrusted with funeral arrangements.
