Earl R. Sonnie

Earl R. Sonnie, age 101, of Feasterville, PA, passed away on March 29, 2025 peacefully at the home he shared with his beloved wife of 62 years Margaret (O'Neill) Sonnie and their nine children.
Born in Philadelphia on June 5, 1923, Earl was the son of Frank and Margaret (nee McCormac) Sonnie and grew up in the Port Richmond neighborhood. He was a gifted engineer and craftsman, a veteran of World War II, and lovingly devoted to his family.
A devout Catholic and congregant of Assumption BVM Church, Earl and Margaret's family home on Delwhit Drive was the hearth for generations of Easter egg hunts, Christmas dinners, baptisms, and confirmations.
In 1940, Earl began his career as an intern at The Franklin Institute before earning his degree at University of Illinois in flight instrumentation and mechanical engineering. In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force where he ascended to Sergeant. With both technical expertise and a natural gift for teaching, he became a pilot instructor. In 1946, he returned to Philadelphia to work for The Franklin Institute as a Mechanical Engineer for the next 42 years.
He was preceded in death by his wife Margaret in 2004, sons Raymond, Stephen, Mark, and Brian, and brothers William and Jerry. He is survived by his children Eileen T. Sonnie, Donna M. (Robert) Brennan, Linda C. (Bernie) Carr, Peggy (Stephen) Wood, Paul R. Sonnie, along with 21 grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren, and his brother Norbert (Mary) Sonnie. His legacy lives on through the values, work ethic, and love he instilled in his loved ones.
Family and friends are invited to Earl's Life Celebration on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 8:30-9:30am at Saint Frances Cabrini R.C. Church, 325 S. Oxford Valley Road, Fairless Hills, PA 19030, followed by a funeral mass with full military honors at Resurrection Cemetery, Bensalem.
Memorial donations in Earl Sonnie's name may be made to The Franklin Institute.
Family services entrusted to Dunn-Givnish Funeral Home, Langhorne.
1-800-GIVNISH To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Earl, please visit our floral store.