Halsey King "Buddy" Bonnell, World War II U.S. Navy Veteran, Dies At 90

Courtesy of Riggs Funeral Home

Halsey King Bonnell, Jr, "Buddy", 90, a lifelong resident of Waretown, passed away peacefully at home on Jan. 9, 2017.

Buddy was born on May 6, 1926 in Waretown to Pearl and Halsey Bonnell, Sr. He attended Barnegat High School, where he excelled at playing basketball and baseball. Buddy served oversees in the U.S. Navy during World War II. For his honorable services, he received the Distinguished Service Award and the Purple Heart. He worked for the Carpenters Local Union #2018, retiring in 1988.

Buddy enjoyed hunting, fishing and traveling the world. He was a member of the Waretown United Methodist Church, former chief of the Waretown Fire Company, Station 36 and member of the Elks, Masons, VFW and Disabled American Veterans. Buddy was an exceptional husband and father. He will be missed dearly.

Mr. Bonnell, Jr. was predeceased by his grandchildren, Stephen and John Snyder and siblings, Virginia Bonnell, Barbara Randolph and Robert Bonnell. Surviving are his loving spouse of 67 years, Jeanne Bonnell (nee Post), children Linda Johnson and her husband Freddie, Halsey Bonnell, III., Beverly Mariconda and her husband John, Cindy Arnold and her husband, Chris and Terry Snyder, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. Also surviving is his sister, Fay Sprague.

A Memorial Service will be held at 1 p.m.on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 1 p.m. at Waretown United Methodist Church, 27 Bryant Rd., Waretown. Burial was private and under the direction of Riggs Funeral Home, 130 North Rt. 9, Forked River.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Buddy's memory would be welcomed to The Salvation Army, Ocean-Barnegat, P.O. Box 3124, Union, NJ 07083 or the Atlantic Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 5358, Atlantic City, NJ 08404. Our family would like to extend a sincere thank you to Holy Redeemer Hospice for their caring hands.

Image: Patch file photo.