Joseph S. Bonansinga
April 4, 2003

Joseph S. "Joe" Bonansinga, 92, St. Vincent's Home, and formerly of 2828 Lincoln Hill Ct. NW, Quincy, died Friday, April 4, 2003 at 11:15 am in Blessing Hospital.

He was born July 20, 1910 in Quincy, Illinois, the son of Salvadore 'Sully' and Nettie Malambri Bonansinga. On February 26, 1938 he married Eida Blaisdell in Palmyra, Missouri. She preceded him in death on March 5, 1966. On April 27, 1968, he married Patricia Blackburn in Rockford, Illinois. She survives.

He was educated in the High School Department of Quincy College, Quincy College, Gem City Business College and completed a special Management Seminar at Harvard University Business School. He was in the U.S. Army July 1943- October 1945 as a Corporal Field, Artillery and Company Clerk Headquarters Detachment Ft. McPherson, GA., 4th Service Command.

Mr. Bonansinga was associated in wholesale food jobber business with his father following 1931 graduation from Quincy College. He also played on the Washington Theatre stage, Saxophone and Clarinet with 'Ned Picerno and Orchestra' from 1927-28 and had 'Joe Bonansinga and his Orchestra' from 1933-38. He played Quincy and the Tri-State area of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois.

October 1, 1947, he began as Commercial Manager for Radio Station WGEM. He became General Manager and Vice President February 1949. WGEM-TV was added September 1953. He retired July 20, 1975.

Mr. Bonansinga is a member of St. Boniface Catholic Church. He is an avid musician, circus buff and interested in sports with baseball being his favorite. He was a member of the National Association of Broadcasters and Quincy Civic Music Association.

Memberships and Awards
First Alumnus of the Year award at Quincy College. Present member of the Board of Trustees for Quincy University. Former member of the Toastmasters and a former trophy winner. Received the Junior Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Boss Award 2 times. Received the Solano Medal of Honor Award at Quincy College. He was Co Chairman for the fund raising campaign for building Wavering Aquatic Center. Former member of the Building Committee of St. Mary Hospital and Past Pres. of St. Mary Hospital Board, former Commissioner of the Quincy Housing Authority, Former President of the Citizens Advisory Committee. He received the Life Membership award by the Illinois Broadcasters Association. He was a winner of the Exchange Club Golden Deeds Award.

He was a member of the Rotary Club of Quincy since 1949 where he was president 1959-1960 and a 1976 recipient of the very prestigious Paul Harris Fellow award. He was Organizer of QND $300,000.00 Fund Drive. He was a Quincy Mayoral Candidate. Mr. Bonansinga received an honorary degree from Quincy College (Doctor of Letters) and later became vice president of college development. A member of the United Way where he was Special Gifts Chairman and worked on many campaigns. He had been Dogwood Parade Marshall. An active member of the Salvation Army Board where a $200,000.00 Joe Bonansinga Life Enrichment Center was built in his honor. He was chairman of the Army Development Campaign that raised $600,000.00 for the community center gymnasium. He received the Salvation Army's highest award, the William Booth Award for longtime support and lifetime membership. He was recognized for his outstanding contributions to the betterment of humanity through personal participation in civic and philanthropic affairs. At Quincy College, he received the Charles R. Winking Award for the advancement of music education. He helped organize the Solano Club and supported the college music department. He was honored by the Family Service Agency as Humanitarian of the Year. He received the Parker S. Gates Award from the Chamber of Commerce, received the Gold Merit Award from the Quincy Board of Realtors. Received the 6th Annual Distinguished Citizen Award from the Mississippi Valley Council of Boy Scouts of America. Received the Illinois Humanities Association Award, and most recently honored by the Quincy Rotary Club for service to the community.

He is a past president of Illinois Broadcasters Association; Sales and Marketing Executives; Quincy Rotary Board and Rotary Foundation; Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Quincy Museum Circus Room Committee. Head of the campaign to name the parking plaza and Junior High auditorium after Paul and Frances Morrison. Past president of Quincy University Foundation. Chairman of campaign for the building of the Quincy Baldwin Field Airport Terminal. Member of commission for the restoration of the Riverfront -- now Clatt Adams Bi-centennial Riverfront Park. Bonansinga Drive was named in appreciation of his activity in developing and promoting our riverfront as a front entrance to Quincy.

Survivors in addition to his wife are 2 nephews, Sully Bonansinga and his wife Diane, Huntley, IL, William Bonansinga, and his wife Mary, Cincinnati, OH, 1 niece, Natalie Jane Stickler and her husband Kent, Clearwater, FL, a sister-in-law, Lucille Bonansinga, Quincy and great nieces and nephews, great great niece and nephews. He was preceded in death by his first wife, his parents and a brother William 'Bill'.

Funeral Services will be Wednesday, April 9, 2003 at 10:00am in the Quincy University Chapel, Rev. Mario DiCicco, O.F.M. officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 2-8 pm at the Quincy University Chapel, with a Wake Service at 6:00 pm. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Quincy, Illinois. Memorials may be given to the Joe Bonansinga Scholarship Fund at Quincy University, WQUB Radio, the Quincy Salvation Army Hometown Endowment Fund or St. Boniface Catholic Church. Hansen-Spear Funeral Directors are in charge of arrangements.

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