Cover photo for Nicholas Bonarrigo's Obituary
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1922 Nicholas 2012

Nicholas Bonarrigo

June 8, 1922 — September 20, 2012

Nicholas Bonarrigo, age 90, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2012 peacefully at his residence. He was born in Salem, New Jersey on June 8, 1922 to the late Joseph and Frances Bonarrigo. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 56 years, Grady Justice Bonarrigo; a sister, Josephine B. Clark; and three brothers, Thomas, Antonio, and John Bonarrigo. Nicholas was a 1940 graduate of Salem High School in New Jersey and a United States Army veteran of World War II. During the war, he served as a telephone switchboard operator and had tours in North France and Central Europe. He received the Meritorious Unit Award, RAMET services Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. After the war, he attended Asheville Biltmore College and received his Bachelor of Arts degree at Western Carolina University Class of 1948 and also a Masters degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He served the children of Haywood County for 32 years from 1951 until 1983 where he was a teacher in the Haywood County public school system having taught History, Citizenship, Geography, Journalism, and French and also served as principal in several schools. Nicholas set up and contributed to two scholarships at Western Carolina University. One of them was the Nicholas and Grady Bonarrigo Scholarship Fund and the other one was a nursing scholarship in memory of his brother, Antonio Bonarrigo. After retiring, he spent many happy years traveling and spending time with his family. Nicholas was a longtime faithful member of St. John's Evangelist Church in Waynesville and also attended High Street Baptist Church with his wife where he has many friends and family there. During his life, he was a member of several clubs and organizations. Nicholas always enjoyed sharing with others about his many wonderful lifetime memories. He is survived by his brother, Joseph Bonarrigo of Belleview, Florida; many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 24, 2012 in the Canton Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Father Larry LoMonaco and the Reverend Christopher Willett officiating. Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens with military honors. The family will receive friends from 12:00 noon until 1:45 p.m. prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John's Evangelist Church, 234 Church Street, Waynesville, NC 28786 or CarePartners Hospice Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. The family would like to thank CarePartners Hospice for the outstanding care given to our loved one in his last days here on this earth.

Previous Events

Visitation
Monday, September 24, 2012
12:00 PM 9/24/2012 12:00:00 PM - 1:45 PM 9/24/2012 1:45:00 PM
Wells Funeral Home of Canton

3715 Asheville Hwy.
Canton, NC 28716

Wells Funeral Home of Canton
3715 Asheville Hwy. Canton 28716 NC
United States
Visitation
Monday, September 24, 2012
2:00 PM 9/24/2012 2:00:00 PM
Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens

Hwy 19/23
Clyde, NC 28721

Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens
Hwy 19/23 Clyde 28721 NC
United States
Visitation
Monday, September 24, 2012
2:00 PM 9/24/2012 2:00:00 PM
Wells Funeral Home of Canton

3715 Asheville Hwy.
Canton, NC 28716

Wells Funeral Home of Canton
3715 Asheville Hwy. Canton 28716 NC
United States
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