Howard George Bonnell

Howard G. Bonnell

Halifax

With heartfelt sadness we the family announce the passing of Howard George Bonnell, age 78, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle on Sunday, September 22, 2019 at  Northwood Centre in Halifax.

Born in Lamaline, Newfoundland on May 31, 1941, he was the son of the late Lewis and Beatrice (Hepditch) Bonnell.  Howard had a number of jobs throughout his life, he was first employed as a milkman for Cape Breton Dairy, and later, for 28 years, he travelled through eastern Nova Scotia and Western Newfoundland with Creighton’s Food Brokerage.  He also drove the ice roads in Manitoba and then later working for Tom MacDonald Trucking before retirement.  He loved his early morning walks in the woods, Newfoundland music and spending time with his family and friends.  Howard was a longtime member of St. Columba United Church in Leitches Creek. He then became a member of Aurora Church after his move to Halifax. Howard had genuine faith in God and a love of the scriptures that sustained him through life. 

He is survived by his wife Judith (Sams) Bonnell, his children, Tammy (Forbes) MacDonald, Georges River, Jeff Bonnell (Julia), Squamish, BC, Melanie Bonnell, Sydney, Melissa Bonnell (Matt), Meaghers Grant, NS, his 7 grandchildren Meaghan, Sam, Ainslie, Kate, William, Phoebe and Eli; also survived by his sister Millie (Lorne) Jennex, Leitches Creek, his brothers Claude (Phyllis), Middleton, Derek (Shirley), Sydney, Melvin (Ann), Abbotsford,  Arthur (Vicky), Regina, Raymond (Elayne), Orleans, Lewis (Mary), Mountain Road, Sydney, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his in-laws Ralph and Dorothy Sams, Jean Billard, Flona Sams and Verna MacIntosh.

Howard was predeceased by sisters-in-law Moira and Judy and brothers-in-law Lloyd Billard, Sandy Sams and Keith MacIntosh.

A special thank you to all Howard’s former co-workers far and wide for their friendship and support over the years. He was always willing to lend a helping hand and believed Galatians 6v7 that says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people.” 

Visitation for Howard will be held from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. on Thursday in the W.J. Dooley Funeral Home, 107 Pleasant Street, North Sydney.  A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday at St. Columba United Church with burial to follow in Calvin United Church Cemetery, Upper Leitches Creek.  Family flowers only, memorial donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Society of Canada.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.wjdooley.com.

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