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BORN
1934
DIED
2015
FUNERAL HOME
Eugene Bonner Obituary
On August 5, 2015, Eugene "Gene" Bonner, one of the leaders of the Zim Zemarel Orchestra, a member of the American Federation of Musicians, co-founder of Tim's Automotive and Towing; and a member of the MD National Guard; beloved husband of Shirley T. Bonner; devoted father of Michael E. Bonner, Patricia B. McElroy and husband Thomas, Timothy P. Bonner and wife Jane and Sharon L. Nicolary and husband Samuel; loving grandfather of Maggie and Molly McElroy, Elaina and Annemarie Bonner, Estela, Juan Jose and Federico E. Nicolary; dear brother of the late Joe Bonner and his surviving wife Betty. Also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, family and friends. Relatives and friends will gather at Schimunek Funeral Homes, Inc., 9705 Belair Rd., Nottingham MD 21236, on Friday 2-5 & 7-9 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Isaac Jogues Church on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Interment Dulaney Valley Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Pl., Memphis TN 38105. On-line condolences may be left for the family @
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Memories and Condolences
for Eugene Bonner
Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.
Michael Carmichael
August 15, 2015
Love you gene..see you on the other side.give Bea a hug for me. my sincere condolences to Shirley and and her wonderful family.XOXO
Barry & Marsha Friedman
August 12, 2015
Our Sincere Sympathy to Mr. Bonner's Family & Friends! What a nice man! We only just heard of his passing. May he Rest In Peace!
Michelle
August 11, 2015
My sympathies to the family in your loss of Eugene. May the God of all comfort (Psalm 83:18) give you the strength to cope during this time of loss.
Jeffrey Cerquetti
August 11, 2015
I was priviliged to have known and been around Gene for over 35 years. He was a great influence in music and countless other ways in my life. I will truly mourn the loss of such a towering renaissance man. My heartfelt condolences go out to all his family. Gene - you will sincerely be missed. May God welcome you in the Green Mansion he has prepared for you.
Joan Harrison
August 9, 2015
I'm so very sorry to hear of Gene's death. It's so hard to find the right words. We've been friends for over 60 years. My heart goes out to all of you. Gene was a great guy.
August 8, 2015
Charlie and I remember Gene fondly and express our sincerest sympathy to the family.
Rebecca Rhoades Whitehill (WV)
john crocken
August 8, 2015
Let the muffled drum roll , but end with a gentle tap for one who has been among us for far too short a time . One of the true Gentle men of music. Always easy to talk to and marvelous to perform with---best, John Crocken, pres 40-543 emeritus
August 8, 2015
May you Rest in Peace...You will never be forgotten.
Brenda Sabree, Postmaster, Perry Hall Post Office
Dolores Vally
August 8, 2015
I began singing with Zim's band in the late 70's and I was privileged to again sing with Zim's band when it was taken over by Gene Bonner & Wayne Hudson when Zim passed and performed at the last 3 Naylor winery gigs as well as with their trio until very recently.
Gene and Shirley were always kind and extremely gracious to me and everyone they knew.
I will especially miss Gene's dry sense of humor, his laugh and his musicianship!
Rest in peace Gene.
Zim's band is reforming in heaven: Zim, Carroll Skinner, and now Gene.
Love,
[email protected]
Michael Carmichael
August 8, 2015
God bless you Gene till we meet again..give Bea a hug for me.
Penny Zimmerman
August 7, 2015
Mike, Deepest sympathy on the passing of your Dad.
August 7, 2015
Sorry to hear of Gene's passing. He was a great guy. Had the pleasure of working with Gene for many years and as a result, became close friends. My condolences to Shirley and the familly.
John Herman,
F&D New Orleans
Karen and Bob Caron
August 7, 2015
I'm so truly sorry to hear of Gene's passing. He was the kindest man. I will miss his warm smile. Love and prayers for the Bonner family. Thinking of you all.
August 7, 2015
Gene was one of the good guys. Always smiling and willing to help anytime, he always brought the quartet to entertain us at our Christmas parties where his joy was radiant. Gene was always a class act and one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. Gene, I hope you get to play our kind of music in the great beyond but whatever it is, I know it will be heavenly.
My condolences to Shirley and his family.
In fond remembrance. Wayne Walbrecher
Donna Judy
August 7, 2015
My heart and prayers go out to the family of this lovely man. I met Gene years ago when I booked him to play events at Nordstrom Annapolis. He was the best part of any event we hosted and so well loved! We all knew that he was special the day we met him. God Bless and know that you will see him again.
August 7, 2015
A friend and classmate - he played at several of my Naval Academy class reunions. Sympathy and God Bless.
Mark O'Hara
Kevin Barton
August 7, 2015
Mr. Gene was a class act. I remember him as a great family friend, a great family man and musician. Baltimore music needs to pause for a few measures today as a tribute to Mr. Gene.
Hervey Smith
August 7, 2015
So sorry for your loss. I'll miss him.
Psalm 103: ...our life is like grass.
We grow and flourish like
a wild flower;
then the wind blows on it,
and it is gone
But not forgotten!
Love, Hervey H. Smith
August 7, 2015
Gene your smile your music and your commitment to Charlestown Retirement Communities will truly be missed by so many people here at Charlestown. Our deepest sympathy to the family. Ann Brown
Ralph Nohe
August 7, 2015
I was classmate of Gene when we graduated in 1952 from Mount Saint Joe High School.I remember Gene being an excellent musician who beside being in the school band also played in various dance bands. Gene was a kindred spirit in his affinity for jazz. I enjoyed seeing and hearing his music at various performances around Harford County.
My condolences to his family
August 7, 2015
Dear Friend Mike: My deepest, most sincere thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.
Paula Mills
August 7, 2015
So many great memories you all have of a great man. Our deepest sympathy to each of you.
Bob & Kay Shaffner
August 7, 2015
We are very sad to hear the news, he will be truly missed. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve and Peggy Heiger and Family
Tony Profili
August 7, 2015
The "Owner" will be missed!
Mike & Tracie Amey
August 7, 2015
Our deepest condolences to the Bonner Family. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers during this most difficult time.
August 7, 2015
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life's routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Jacki Crandell
August 7, 2015
I'm sure the music in heaven just got a little better. Prayers for all.
Gordy Woelper
August 6, 2015
I met Gene many years ago having grown up as a neighbor and friend of the Zemarel family. There were many evenings spent attending one of the band functions with Zim and his son Jamie. Jamie is still my dear friend to this day and was the best man in my wedding.
My condolences to the family and friends of Gene. I have such great memories of the great music he and the rest of the band created and the memories they all created for so many.
Mary Katherine Bondura
August 6, 2015
My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time of sorrow. Gene is in God's care now and what better care could we ever ask for him. Now I will keep you all in my thoughts as I pray for your comfort in the days ahead. God bless you and keep you all in His tender care and love for all eternity."
Mary Jo Holloran
August 6, 2015
Sending our condolences to the Bonner family. Remembering what a quiet lovely man your dad was at St. Anthony's, Patty and Michael. Your mom and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Mary Jo Michael Holloran
Class of '72/ St Anthony of Padua and parent of Maryvale Alum
Kim Perkins
August 6, 2015
Our hearts go out to our dear long time friends Patty and Tom as well as the entire Bonner family. Gene was the life of the party and a very special person to many. His love and passion for life was evident in everything he did and he passed this on to his wonderful family. We will always remember the great times we had with Gene! Love, Kim and Ron Perkins
David Marks
August 6, 2015
Very sorry to learn of the passing of such a good man and an institution in our community.
Bob & Cindy Krebs
August 6, 2015
Ms Shirley, you are in our thoughts and prayers,
Bob and Cindy Krebs
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