In Memory of Thomas J. Bonfiglio

Obituary

Thomas J. Bonfiglio, 68, of New Hartford passed away March 17, 2018 at home with his loving wife Grace (Camarata Leone) Bonfiglio and his loving children at his side.

He was born in Manhattan, beloved son of Thomas and Angela Bonfiglio of New Hartford. Tom grew up in Elmont, NY, and graduated from Sewanhanka High School. He later graduated from Clarkson University in 1971 with a B.S. in Industrial Management. He was also a member of the Delta Uplison fraternity and has been an active alumnus since. He later went on to obtain a M.S. Degree in Systems Management from SUNY Binghamton.

Upon graduating from Clarkson, Tom returned to Long Island to work for the New York Telephone Company, which began a 38-year career in the telecommunications industry. In 1978, he moved his family to Clinton, NY, working for AT&T, NYNEX, Bell Atlantic, and Verizon, where he retired as Director of Technology. Following his retirement he worked as a student advisor at MVCC.

Throughout his career Tom made many good friends. He was respected as someone who always treated people with fairness and kindness, taking great interest in people’s lives and acting as a mentor to many.

Tom married Marybeth Taffe and from that union became the father of three wonderful children, Thomas, Michael and Suzanne.

Tom later met and married Grace, and the two spent many happy years together, laughing, traveling (especially to their favorite Vermont inn) and enjoying one another’s company and love. Grace has been Tom’s constant devoted companion, and throughout his long illness rose to the challenge beyond what anyone could expect.

Their home since has always been a gathering place for holidays and events that were marked by laughter, love and way too much food.

A devout Catholic, Tom was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Clinton. In addition to raising his family, Tom served as President of the St. Mary’s School Association, Vice President of the Utica Lions Club, and member of the Town of Kirkland zoning board of appeals. While he greatly enjoyed serving his community, he dialed back these activities in order to spend more time with his family once his job took him on the road with continuing frequency.

Always physically active, Tom enjoyed fishing, cross-country skiing, target shooting, taking long walks up College Hill Road in Clinton, and Tae Kwon Do, in which he held a second-degree black belt.

Tom was extremely generous and loved helping others. He had a great sense of humor, was quick to laugh, and was a constant practical joker. He loved old cowboy movies, food, Christmas, and trips to Disney World.

Family was the most important thing in Tom’s life. He was a wonderful father to his children, always loving, supporting and encouraging them throughout their lives. His love for his children is rivaled only by his love for his granddaughters Mia and Ruth, on whom Tom’s sun rose and set.

Tom was the best big brother ever to Donna and James. He also adored being a fun uncle to his dozens of nieces and nephews in the Taffe, Bessich, and Julian families, and the “American father” to Victor and the late Oliver Allende, Spanish exchange students hosted in the Bonfiglio home.

Tom was beloved by so many and had great affection for his family and friends. All of the people who were touched by him are too numerous to mention. He held a special place in his heart for his cousin “brother” Jim Julian and wife Sue, friend “brother” Tom Macera and wife Betty, brother-in-law “brother” Joey Camarata, sister-in-law “sister” Carolyn Matthews, brother-in-law “little brothers” to Terry and the late Chris Taffe, who later in life Tom considered a “sage”; his cousins Joanne Bessich and husband John and family; and his special friends Adele Reilly and family, the Perrone family, the Leone/Dr. Peter Wittlinger family. In his recent years, Tom cherished his weekly coffees with his pals Fred Talarico, Peter Friedman and Buddy Maunz.

He is survived his by wife Grace and his parents Tom and Angie, all of New

Hartford; son Thomas of Pittsford NY, son and daughter-in-law Michael and Claudia of Brooklyn, NY, daughter and daughter-in-law Suzanne and Elizabeth Baumann of Cambridge, MA; his cherished and beloved granddaughters, Mia Bonfiglio of Pittsford, NY and Ruth Baumann of Cambridge, MA; his brother James Caruso of New Paltz, NY; sister and sister-in-law Donna Bonfiglio and Carolyn Matthews of Oneida, NY; and brother-in-law Joseph Camarata of Lake Mary, FL. He also leaves his brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and many nieces and nephews of the Taffe family, and many cousins.

Tom and his family extend their heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Theresa Gentile and the entire loving and caring staff at Upstate Cancer Center in Oneida, NY, who Tom thought of as family. Also to his doctors Dr. Estefan and Dr. Fergany and their staffs at the Cleveland Clinic, and special friend and doctor Fred Talarico.

The love and support of Lisa and Al, Mary, Lisa B., Kevin and Jean, and MJ has been greatly appreciated. Also special thanks to caregivers Irene, Pat, Rose, Edna, Karen and the Hospice staff.

A celebration of life mass will be held by Rev. John Croghan on Thursday, March 22nd at 10am at St. Mary’s Church, 13 Marvin Street, Clinton, NY. Entombment will be in Calvary Mausoleum. Calling hours are Wednesday, March 21st from 4 to 7 pm at Friedel, Williams & Edmunds Funeral & Cremation Services, 13 Oxford Rd., New Hartford.

In Memory of Tom, donations to the Cleveland Clinic, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, or charity of your choice would be appreciated.