Donald Thomas Bonanno

Waterford - Donald Thomas Bonanno, 58, of Waterford, entered eternal life on Jan. 30, 2014, in the company of his loving family. He was born Aug. 1, 1955, in New London, the son of the late Sterling and Nancy (Pedro) Bonanno. Mr. Bonanno attended local schools and graduated from Waterford High School, class of 1974. He was united in marriage to the former, Robin Stefanski on Sept. 22, 1984, in St. Joseph Church; Mrs. Bonanno survives him. He was employed at Pfizer Inc. as an animal technician, later retiring. Donald was a life member of the Cohanzie Fire Department, serving as the chairman of the board for many years. He loved auto racing, serving as crew chief for DMI Motorsport while at Stafford Springs Motor Racing. Donald was a loving family man, cooking and playing cards with them. Besides his beloved wife of 57 years, he is survived by two children, Christopher Sterling Bonanno, Danyelle Lynn Bonanno and fiancé, Daniel Estey Jr.; two sisters, Susan Bonanno and her partner, Wanda Figueroa, and Lisa Bonanno; his three furry children, Dudley, Belland, and Louie. His family will receive relatives and friends from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Impellitteri-Malia Funeral Home, 84 Montauk Ave., New London. Family and friends are asked to gather for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. on Tuesday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 63 Old Norwich Road, Quaker Hill. Interment will be in St. Mary Cemetery, New London. In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Donald Bonanno Memorial Fund, c/o Chelsea Groton Bank, 157 Boston Post Road, Waterford, CT 06385. Published by The Day on Feb. 2, 2014.