Jon N. Bonsall

Jon N. Bonsall (1948-2024), of Wellesley, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, attorney, and coach, died peacefully on October 26, 2024, following treatment for glioblastoma.
Cherished husband of 51 years to Kathleen M. Bonsall (Martineau) and loving father and father-in-law to Matthew and Megan Bonsall, Daniel Bonsall and Michelle Smith, and Katherine (Bonsall) and Daniel Hakansson; doting Grampy of Emily, Abby, Callum, Maggie, and Owen; and devoted brother and brother-in-law of the Hon. Mary Kay Ames and the late Donald Gregory.
Born in Boston to the late Norman Bonsall and Sallie Ames (Caliri), he was raised in Milton. Jon was President of the Milton High School Class of 1966 and was a proud graduate of the College of the Holy Cross ('70) and Boston College Law School ('73). Jon was a highly respected attorney specializing in utilities regulation and government relations. He began his career in the Massachusetts House of Representatives as legal counsel to House Majority Whip William Q. "Biff" McLean before being named Chairman of the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities in 1981. Jon was a longtime partner at the law firm of Keegan Werlin LLP, where he served a wide range of clients for over 30 years.
Jon was a man of faith and an active member of St. John the Evangelist Parish. He served as a Eucharistic minister, lector, and member of the Parish Counsel. A passionate youth sports coach and organizer, Jon was a former President of Wellesley Little League and directed the St. John's CYO Basketball Program for nearly twenty years.
Nothing was more important to Jon than his family. He loved grand gestures and small moments: from big family vacations to breakfast treats on a Sunday morning. He was famous for dad jokes, getting great parking spots, and sending purple heart emojis. His children, and all who knew him, could rely on his problem-solving skills and navigational prowess. Jon loved coaching and then cheering on his kids and grandkids at their sports events. His favorite thing was spending time with his family, especially on the Cove Beaches of Ogunquit. In his semi-retirement, Jon enjoyed traveling both nationally and internationally with his beloved wife Kathy.
Visiting hours at Henry J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 56 Washington St, Wellesley, on Sunday, November 3, 2-5 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. John the Evangelist Church, Wellesley, on Monday, November 4 at 10 a.m. Services Monday will be livestreamed at https://sjspwellesley.org/sj/live/
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jon's memory may be made to St. John the Evangelist Church, 9 Glen Road, Wellesley, MA 02481 or the Marginal Way Preservation Fund, P.O. Box 1455, Ogunquit, ME 03907.