Obituary of Samuel A. Bonfe, Sr.

Samuel Armand Bonfe Sr., 92, lifelong resident of Syracuse, passed peacefully on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 after a brief illness. Sam was born at 205 Burnet Avenue on May 12,1928 to Albert and Anna (Cucola) Bonfe both deceased. He is also pre-deceased by Uncles Louis and Pasquale Cucola both from Syracuse. Sam attended Prescott School, Vocational H.S. and was in the 1st graduating class of LeMoyne College with a degree in Business Administration. His wife of nearly 61 years the former Harriette Stella Trach (d.9/26/15) also graduated from the St.Joseph/LeMoyne College Nursing Program in 1954. Sam was retired from Martisco Corporation as Chief Financial Officer and Controller where he worked for many years. A a patriotic veteran of both the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force where he was recognized several times as Outstanding Airman he was credited with military service for both WWII and the Korean War. His last post with the Air Force was at National Field in Washington DC attached to the Presidential Transport Group. Devotion to family was his guiding light. He and Stella are survived by their 6 children, Paula (Dr.Anurag Gupta) Las Vegas NV., Sam Jr (Beth Adams) Fairhope AL., Annie (Tony Case) Philadelphia PA., Brenda ( Rocco D'Angelo) Brockport NY, Albert (Joanne Locurto) Syracuse NY, and Patricia ( Barry Darling) Tully NY. Also surviving are Sam's two brothers, both of Tampa Fl., Albert Jr. ( d. Barbara Diehl) and Gregory (Suzanne Monaco) Sister in laws Katherine Trach L.P.N., Barbara Lucia (d.James) both of Syracuse, Susan ( Dr. M.Mendoza) Clarksburg WV. Brother in law William Trach (d.Marilyn) Baldwinsville NY, 16 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren ( with one on the way) and 1 great-great grandchild as well as numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family stretched from California to Florida and Upstate to Long Island. He is also survived by 1st cousins Suzanne and Patricia Cucola and Raymond Lorenzo all from Syracuse. As a devoted sports enthusiast, the Yankees never had a bigger fan, as well as the NY Giants. He loved college sports with his and Stella's alma mater LeMoyne, as well as Syracuse University. As a devout Catholic, the family parishes that the growing family supported through the years were St.John the Evangelist, Blessed Sacrament, and St. Michael/St. Peter as his final church when retired to Onondaga Hill. His sense of humor, incredible intellect, endless enthusiasm, devotion to family, insightful advice, unabashed pride of his heritage, patriotic devotion, and generosity to friends family and strangers in need will all be sorely missed. Now he is finally reunited with his beloved "Stella" or " Yadjia" as he often called her, in heaven as it should be. There will be no calling hours but there will be a celebration of life event and a more private graveside ceremony in the future which will be announced in the newspaper and on the Shepardsonfh.com website when the dates are confirmed. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Samuel Bonfe may be sent to Le Moyne College, P.O. Box 527, Syracuse, NY 13214-9911 or online donations may be made at lemoye.edu/give. Special recognition is in order for our Aunt Kathy Trach L.P.N., Aunt Barbara Lucia, Angela Milazzo, Sam's devoted caregiver, our dear cousin and Sam's Godchild Shelly J. Bonfe MSN ANP-BC ONC.,Dr. Jiminez and his magnificent team at Upstate University Hospital Downtown Campus- all of which were sent by the angels to give dignity comfort and quality of life to our beloved father who has enjoyed a full and wonderful life. May he rest in Peace. He shall never be forgotten.