Obituaries

George J. Bonifanti, a lifelong resident of Scranton, died Sunday December 7, 2014. Born in Scranton, December 20, 1919, to the late Frank and Angeline (Sanzero) Bonifanti, he was married to the late Alice C. Altier for 70 years until her death November 5, 2014.
He was a graduate of the January 1938 Class of Scranton Technical High School, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance, The Henry George School of Social Science, attended the Penn State Extension School, the University of Scranton and the University of Florence Study Center, Florence Italy.
He was a charter member of St. Patrick’s adult choir for over 35 years, a lector and Eucharistic Minister; past president, vice president and treasurer of St. Patrick’s Holy Name Society; vice president of The Society of the Faithful; and a member of St. Patrick’s Booster Club. He served as Co-coordinator for the Scranton Cursillo movement, having made the Seventh Scranton Ultreya. He was a faithful member of St. Patrick’s| Roman Catholic Parish, and he loved his church and its congregation.
He served in the United States Army Air Force in WWII as an air crewmember, training air cadets in armament and gunnery. He served as gunnery and armament sergeant with the 71st Squadron –1st Fighter Group, 15 Air Force Command, in Foggia, Italy. He received several medals and citations: the Rome-Arno Northern France, Southern France, Rhineland Northern Apennines Po Valley Air Offensive-Balkan and the Presidential Citation with two bronze stars, the American Campaign Medal European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 7 Bronze stars, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the VFW Honor Guard, a member of The First Fighter Group Association, and a charter member of the National World War II Memorial, a member of the Honor Guard of American legion Post 920, and a life member of The Disabled American Veterans.
He retired from Ingersoll Rand Company, where he held the position as Manager of Branch Administration for 22 Branches of the Equipment Sales Division. Prior to his employment with Ingersoll Rand, he was supervisor of Production Control, and Finishing Supervisor for the Double Woven Corp., formerly in Dunmore, Pa. More recently he was employed as National Sales and Credit Manager for Brucelli Advertising Corp., Dunmore, Pa. He retired from the latter at age 81.
Surviving are his children, Alisann “Sam” Bonifanti-Romanelli and husband Ronald, Sharon Hill, PA; Gloria J. Pike and husband, John, Ocala FL; Georgeanne E. Bonifanti-Church and husband James, Manchester Center, VT; George F. Bonifanti and wife Michele, Hummelstown, PA; and Richard P. Bonifanti and wife, Beverly, Lewes, DE; also five grandchildren, four great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.
Preceding him in death are his his wife of 70 years, Alice C. Altier, three sisters, Theresa Minelli-Hoffecker, Victoria Colangelo, Caroline Bonifanti, and six brothers, Frank, Joseph, Nicholas, Lawrence, John and Enrico “Jake”.
Funeral services are scheduled to begin on Monday, December 15th, at 9:30AM from the Kevin K. Kearney Funeral Home, Inc., 125 North Main Avenue, Scranton, with a 10:00AM Mass of Christian Burial at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church, 1403 Jackson Street, West Scranton. Entombment with military honors by the AMVETS Honor Guard will follow at the Cathedral Cemetery Mausoleum.
Relatives and friends may pay their respects on Sunday, December 14th, between 4-7:00PM at the funeral home
Memorial contributions may be made in George’s name to St Patrick’s Church Parish, 1403 Jackson St., Scranton, Pa., 18504, or to the donor’s personal choice.