Raymond Joseph Bonina, 81, paper company executive
He was so popular he would run into people who knew him everywhere he went.
RAY BONINA couldn't even walk on a beach in Mexico without someone calling out, "Hey, Ray!" And probably adding, "Remember me?"
"To Ray, strangers were simply friends he had not yet met," his family said.
In fact, it was kind of a family joke that Ray Bonina couldn't go anywhere without running into someone he knew, from that beach in Mexico to a street in New York City or a restaurant in Chicago.
"Hey, Ray, remember me?"
Raymond Joseph Bonina, retired president of the Garrett Buchanan Paper Co., passionate ice-hockey fan, active alumnus of St. Joseph's University and devoted family man, died Saturday. He was 81 and lived in Kennett Square, Chester County.
Ray was born in Philadelphia to Vincent Bonina and the former Mary Catania. He grew up in South Philadelphia and graduated from South Philadelphia High School.
He went on to St. Joseph's University and graduated in 1955 with a bachelor's degree in business.
After graduation, he joined the Garrett Buchanan company in Reading. He loved the paper business, his family said, and advanced through the ranks to become president.
"Even after retirement, his passion for the business never left him, and he remained in the workforce with various paper companies until his health declined last summer at the age of 80," his family said.
"Ray truly loved people, and he had a kind and generous heart. He cared deeply about all those who crossed his path, and his friends included people of all ages and from all walks of life.
"There was nothing Ray would not do for a friend."
Ray was a devoted Flyers fan, but he also had reason to root for the Yale Bulldogs, because a grandson played for the hockey team.
Ray liked to chill out on the beach in Avalon, N.J., and in Naples, Fla., with family and friends.
He is survived by his wife, Maureen Roth Bonina; three daughters, Mary Killian, Diane Bonina and Amy Bonina; three stepsons, Greg Roth, Mark Roth and Scott Roth; a sister, JoAnne Laino; seven grandchildren and five step-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his first wife, Eleanor Naples Bonina, and a sister, Marie Pratt.
Services: Mass of Christian Burial, 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. Maximilian Kolbe Church, 15 E. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester. Friends may call at 9:30 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph's University, either by mail at St. Joseph's Fund, 5600 City Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19131, or via giving.sju.edu/donate.