Richard Bona died peacefully at home. A San Francisco native, Rich was born to Charles and Mildred "Pat" Bona. Rich was a police officer in San Francisco and San Mateo, reaching the rank of Lieutenant. He went on to become a successful business owner. He will be remembered for his caring ministry to others through Cursillo and Rachel's Vineyard post-abortion recovery. Rich is survived by his loving wife Mary (Danielski), daughters Catherine (Dan) Sampson, Ellen Bona, Susan (Dave) Arms, Michele (Kirk) Caya, brothers Dr. Charles Bona & Philip Bona, and 12 grandchildren.

Vigil - April 24 (5pm) at Sneider & Sullivan in San Mateo. Funeral Mass - April 25 (10am) at St. Bartholomew Church in San Mateo. In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Bartholomew Church or Mercy Beyond Borders.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Apr. 22 to Apr. 24, 2016.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Bona

Sponsored by Sneider & Sullivan & O’Connell’s Funeral Home and Cremation Service.

22 Entries

Kevin Swift

June 6, 2016

I'm sad to hear Rich has died and truly sorry for the loss your family has experienced. He was an uncommon leader and a caring person. I pray that your family will be comforted in time and his faith and courage will have an enduring presence with you.

Dolores Nice

April 26, 2016

Dear Mary,
What a terrible loss for you and your family. I have many happy memories of Rich within our Mercy Association community. Who can forget all the fun times at the Christmas parties as he played Santa's
helper and his job as the Grill Master at the BBQs for the sisters at Marian Oaks. Rich was always ready to
help out when needed and always ready to crack a joke. We have been blessed to have had him touch our lives. May our loving God enfold you in his arms and give you peace and strength. Love, Dolores

Carolyn Lyon

April 25, 2016

Dear Mary and Family,

My deepest sympathy to all of you at this sad time. Although I never knew Rich personally, I remember him from Mercy High days. From all the praises that have been written about him, I'm sure he has a very high place in heaven! You were truly blessed to have such a caring husband who did so much for others. May the wonderful memories you made together give you comfort in the days to come as you grieve his loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Carolyn Gustafson Lyon
Mercy '55

Barbara Moran, RSM

April 25, 2016

Dear Mary and Family, Special prayers for Rich and for all of you during this hard time. An out-of-town trip prevented me from attending services, but I do have such great memories of you two from Mercy and Serra days. Know all of our Mercy Associates near and far are also with you in prayer as well as Sisters of Mercy. God bless all of you.

Kevin Cook

April 25, 2016

I would like to express my condolences to your family in this time of your loss. I recall Mr. Bona being one of the kindest men I knew as I was growing up in San Mateo and attending St. Bart's. I recall one occasion where I was serving as altar boy during a mass. For some reason, I became ill, but I did not want to abandon my post. Mr. Bona saw my evident distress and kindly came up on the altar and ushered me away and waited with me until I felt better. I have no recollection of the feeling of illness or what I thought caused it at the time, but his kindness has remained with me for almost 40 years.

Angela Wu

April 25, 2016

Dear Mary and Family, Rich is one of the most loving and generous person our family is lucky enough to meet. He was there for Ken all the way especially during RCIA. Rich always know how to cheer someone on! Rich was a walking example of what love and forgiveness for all means. Your pure, loving and caring bond with Rich is something Ken and I aspire to have! We will miss Rich dearly.... Our most heartfelt condolences to you and your family.....
Our prayers will be with you... Ken So & Angela Wu & family...

April 24, 2016

My sincere sympathy to family. Remember Richard well as my neighbor on Santa Fe Avenue. Many wonderful childhood remembrances. My prayers. Betty Dennehy Murphy

Leana Giannini

April 23, 2016

Dear Mary and family,
I am so so saddened to hear of Rich's passing. You have been a personal example to me since high school (St. Bart's Teen Club) of a strong and loving relationship, and true sacramental marriage. Your welcoming presence at St. Bart's, and throughout the San Mateo community, has put so many people at ease in good times and bad. Rich exemplified a man of true faith, and I am confident he is now "in Paradiso".
My sincere and heartfelt condolences.
Leana Giannini,
and my husband Thomas O'Keefe

joe davis

April 23, 2016

Mary,

A good and kind family man. A true friend. The epitome of a Serra friend. We will miss you...
Classmate of 56 Joe and Paula Davis, la quinta, Ca

John Malaspina

April 22, 2016

Thank you Lord for Rich Bona who touched so many people in his lifetime. You were the inspiration to the class of '56. Your faith and faithfulness will always be a wonderful example to all who knew you. May Jesus welcome you with open arms as you enter into His immortal reward. psst save us a seat....John♥Julie Malaspina

Mary Louise Castillo

April 22, 2016

A portrait of a true Christian Rich Bona.
Here's an earthly report card, limited only by the format and the space allotted on this page.
A for your gentle and welcoming smile; for all your sincere offers to help anyone at any time; for your strong commitment to work for peace; your dedication to learn more about your faith; your generosity of spirit; and your animation in story-telling. Above all,
for the loving care you radiated for your dearest Mary.
An A+ from any teacherand that's just when we first met you!

This x a zillion was our friend Rich - profound to the core, genuine to the end, a walking cathedral to the praises of Our Lord!
Thank you for gracing our world! Now rest in Peace in the arms of Him whom you loved with all your heart
Rest in Peace!

Jim Mengel

April 22, 2016

Dear Mary and Family, I'm grateful that my path crossed with Rich's when I met him in the Cursillo community and he always reached out to include me. He was a great man and God's love radiated from every fiber of his being. My prayers are for you and your family in your time of sorrow.

Geraldine O'Connell

April 22, 2016

Rich is now promoted to his Heavenly Home and I'm sure he has already heard the words "WELL DONE, THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT...ENTER THOU INTO THE JOY OF THE LORD." I was blessed to meet him in the Cursillo community. He was a great Ambassador for Jesus Christ. He embodied his Maker with his great love and concern for people with his warm and engaging personality.
I still have polenca Rich wrote me years ago and they are treasures to me. My prayers are with his sweet wife Mary and all his family to experience God's comfort in a supernatural way during your time of great loss.

Theresa Chenlouie

April 22, 2016

Dear Mary and Family,
My last encounter with Rich at Mass will always etch in my memory of inspiration. With a sturdy face mask, he told me he had no immunity and finally make the sick list on the church bulletin, No couple in church ever come up to receive the Eucharist side by side in unison. Your bond of love shone a light for all to emulate and touched me deeply. Then I ran into you yesterday with your friendly smile, Mary - you emanated such deep joyous faith! May Our Lord enfold you and yours in His embrace to comfort you when you miss this loving human being that touched so many of us in St. Bartholomew.

Liz Rojas

April 21, 2016

Dear Mary & Family,
My condolence to you all. We are so sorry for your loss. Rich was such a wonderful person, he will be missed. Blessing to you all. Love Ron & Liz , Friends, Roseville, CA 4/21/16

Brandi Gallegos

April 20, 2016

We are so proud to call him an Associate to the Sisters of Mercy. He was one of the brightest souls I've met. So warm and wonderful a man. He will be missed here but we are comforted in knowing beyond a doubt that his final home is a glorious one. -Brandi Gallegos, Mercy Associate

Aly Garcia

April 19, 2016

Rich and Mary were part of the RCIA team when I went through the process in 2005-06 and it has been such a blessing to have them both in my life over the years! In some ways, I consider them to be almost like grandparents to me, and will definitely miss seeing the two of them together at Mass or walking to church. Mary, my love and prayers are with you and your family - know that you and Rich have touched my life deeply and will always be an important part of my life and faith journey! I know I will turn to Rich in prayer often now that he is interceding for us from Heaven. With love, Aly Garcia

Jeannette Brantley

April 19, 2016

Dear Mary and Family, Though I only knew Rich for a brief time as an Associate, I join with all those who will miss his warm and engaging presence. A good man of faith who made me want to be a better person. RIP my brother and fellow associate.
Mary, please know that I am holding your family in the light of God's love and comfort.
In His Mercy, Jeannette

SisterJudy Carle

April 19, 2016

Rich was indeed a beautiful human being - one who exuded love, enthusiasm, and deep faith. He was a treasure to our Mercy family. From Mercy International Center in Dublin, I send my condolences to Mary and the family. I regret that I will not be able to join you at funeral services but I shall place your names and sense of deep loss in the intention book in the Chapel of the first House of Mercy.

Sister Cristina Caballero, RSM

April 19, 2016

Dearest Mary and family. Know of my deep love and prayers for you. You and Rich hold a special place in my heart. In Mercy, Cris

Diane Fahrner

April 19, 2016

Sending my love to your family during this time of sadness. I feel blessed to have known Rich as a devoted parent when I taught at St. Bartholomew School, and as an involved Mercy Associate. What an amazing husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend to all. He was a man of faith and grace and inspired me to do my best.

Diane Fahrner

Phil Derr

April 18, 2016

Serving with Rich at SMPD was an honor. A truly outstanding cop. Those swing and graveyard shifts gave us plenty of time to know one another. Thus said, Rich loved him family and told anyone how much they all meant to him. I will miss you...jeez we qualified just last December...had some good laughs and fond memories. Phil Derr & Family Bend, Oregon.

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