Cataldo "Carl" Bonanni

Cataldo "Carl" Bonanni died peacefully on Monday, April 15th, 2024, with his family and best friend at his bedside.
Carl who was born in Supino, Italy on January 17th, 1945, made his way to the US with his family on the Christopher Columbus on May 28th, 1955 becoming an American Citizen shortly after where they resided in the Detroit Metro area.
Carl is a US Vietnam Veteran who joined the US Navy in 1964.
He served his country as a 2nd class petty officer on the USS Rehoboth AGS50 touring in Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, Midway, Hawaii, Alaska, and several other countries over his 4.5-year tour of duty.
Carl met his wife Kris in 1966 towards the end of his service with the US Navy when he was stationed in Treasure Island, CA.
They married shortly after and had their only child Maria a year later. Carl brought Kris & his baby daughter to make their home in the Detroit Metro area. When they arrived back in Michigan, Carl's large Italian family welcomed and embraced his new family of 3.
For most of Carl's working career he was an entrepreneur & business owner which included a few pizzerias in the 80s, and a unique carry-out pasta concept called Pasta To Go from the 90s until the early 2000s. He had planned to retire in 2007, but realized after a short while that working in the pizza business and interacting with people was truly a passion of his. Thinking of working for just a few more years part-time, he found the perfect opportunity to work as a supervisor for two wonderful Little Caesars franchisees. He stayed with the Little Caesars franchise for 10 years where he built amazing relationships with the operators, the staff and the customers who came in to grab a pizza and see his smile. After having knee surgery that laid him up for longer than expected, he decided to officially retire in 2018.
Carl loved to golf, travel, sing karaoke and gather with friends. He started woodworking shortly after retiring where he enjoyed making unique gifts and custom orders for friends and family. He more recently became an active member of his local VFW hall where he was the kitchen manager of the hall because he LOVED to cook and entertain. When he wasn't doing any of the above, he'd enjoy beautiful summer evenings sitting on his deck after grilling the perfect steak. He'd cap off the night with a cigar from his humidor sipping on a glass of his favorite bourbon (Bullet), or a glass (or 3) of wine. As the nights became chilly & crisper with the fall and early winter air, he'd move those night caps into his garage where he had his woodworking shop set-up. The same garage where he proudly hung his American Flag because he loved God and his country.
What he loved and cherished most was his family. Nothing made him happier than spending holidays, weddings, birthdays, and any family gathering to enjoy delicious meals and seeing everyone together celebrating whatever the occasion. Family meant EVERYTHING to him because he was a strong believer in holding family traditions.
Carl lit up a room whenever he walked in. He was the life of every party, he was a "glass half full" kind of guy, and he LOVED LIFE to the fullest.
He was a man of dignity, honor, integrity, and genuine kindness. He was a positive influence for so many who also considered him a role model and mentor.
He is survived by his wife Kristi (nee Clarke), his daughter Maria (Sean Palm), his 5 siblings and their spouses including sister Phyllis (Tringali), Tina (Dalea), Joe Bonanni & (Rita Bonanni), Anna (Cole) & (Roy Miller), Toni (Marino)& (Russ Marino). From his family of 5 siblings, he loved all of his 15 nieces and nephews, including their spouses/significant others and their kids.
He is pre-deceased by his father Nicola Bonanni and Angelina (Mancini), and two brother in-laws, Jimmy (Phyllis) Tringali & George (Tina) Dalea.
Although Carl's sudden illness and very brief battle with 2 aggressive and unrelated cancers cut his life far too short, we're confident he'll have wanted his family and friends to always remember his smile, his passion for life and his true love for all whose lives crossed paths with his. He left a memorable & lasting impact on so many people and would want us to celebrate his life and cherish the memories that have been made.
Visitation Sunday from 4:00pm-9:00pm with an 8:00pm Eulogy, and Monday from 11:00am until the time of the 12:00pm Funeral Service at Wujek-Calcaterra & Sons (54880 Van Dyke Ave - Shelby Township). Concluding Carl's Funeral Service there will be a Celebration of Life Gathering over at VFW Post 465, 8311 Wilson Dr., Shelby Twp., 48316, with Military Honors and lunch to follow at 1:30pm
Please share memories with the family at their "Online Guestbook" at WujekCalcaterra.com