Obituary for Gabriel V. Bonadie
GABRIEL VIRGILIUS BONADIE
Gabriel V. Bonadie, 94, , passed away on Saturday January 4, 2020 at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY. He died peacefully, attended by close family, and parishioners & clergy from Trinity Church Wall Street. Gabriel died as a result of smoke inhalation from a fire at his residence on December 3, 2019.
Gabriel was born in Bequia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, on October 8, 1925. The son of Clairmont and Maude Bonadie, (nee Peters). (Both Decd.) Brother of Rose, Casembe, Siolastica & Audrey. (All Decd.) Husband of Sybil. (Decd.) Father of Gillian & John-Paul, (Decd). Relative of the Peters (Bequia & USA) and the Clarke family (USA). He was uncle and God-Father to numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws, including: Dorothy, Irene & May, (all Decd), Stacy, Mercy, Barbara, Andrea & Alton, Gary & Juana, Jenny & Vinny, Tracy, Gary Ronson, Rachel & Keira, Alana & Ryan; Jennifer, Jacqueline, Crispin, McCally, Nicole, Ernest & Isla and many others. He is survived by his daughter, Gillian.
Gabriel held a Diploma from Cambridge University and a Diploma from the London School of Accountancy and Finance. In St. Vincent, he was a teacher, Asst Principal and Boy Scout Leader. He had a brief career in politics and government for several years immediately prior to immigrating, and served as Clerk of the Executive Council (Cabinet Secretary) of the St Vincent Government. Gabriel and family migrated to USA in 1972. He was employed for 26 years at Local 144 Fund Office of the Nursing Home, Hospital, Hotel, Civil Service and Affiliated Services Union, and was CEO of the Fund by the time he retired.
Gabriel was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters Court, St. Vincent’s Morning Star No. 2298, and advanced to the rank of Past Chief Ranger.
He was a proud member of the No. 17 St. Vincent (1st Bequia) Scout Troop and advanced to the rank of Scout Master, District Scout Master, District Commissioner, and Assistant Chief Commissioner of St. Vincent. He was awarded the Wood Badge after attending, and successfully completing, the Wood Badge course in Trinidad and a written test administered by the Office of the Chief Scout of the Commonwealth. He was later appointed Deputy Camp Chief for training in St Vincent and the Grenadines by the Chief Scout of the Commonwealth. He attended the Boy Scout Jamboree in Idaho, USA as Deputy Contingent Leader of the St. Vincent, Grenada, Barbados and St. Lucia contingent. He was awarded the following. As a holder of the Wood Badge, he received the following:
• The Bead & Tongs Badge,
• The Gilwell Necktie and,
• The Gilwell Woggle & Badge
Gabriel was a life-long member of the Anglican / Episcopal church. He was christened at the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on the island of Bequia. After immigrating to the USA in 1972, Gabriel became an active member of Trinity Church Wall Street. Here’s the amazing story about how the Bonadie family started attending Trinity:
Gabriel preceded his family in the USA and initially attended a different church at the instance of other relatives already residing in the city. However, the service was not familiar to him and when his wife, Sybil, joined him in NYC, she agreed, and they decided to look for another church to attend. One morning Sybil told him of a dream the previous night in which she saw the church they were to attend. In describing the church, she said: “when you walk up the steps at the entrance you will see a beautiful Chancel Stained Glass Window above the alter”. Needless to say, they had no idea where that church was, but agreed to use that as their guide. While at work later that day, (Sybil worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of NY) a friend at work invited Sybil to attend a noon service at a nearby church during their lunch break. Her friend brought her to Trinity Church. Imagine her surprise and delight when she walked up the steps and saw the beautiful stained-glass window of 1her dream. She shared this news with Gabriel and they decided to attend the Good Friday devotions that included the stations of cross. Gabriel not only saw the stained-glass window of Sybil’s dream, he also found that the service and the hymns were familiar. And so began this family’s decades of fellowship and service at Trinity.
He was a member of the Congregational Council and was the first congregational member to serve a seven-year term on the Vestry. He also served in various liturgical and lay leadership capacities; such as Sub-deacon, acolyte, lector and intercessor. He also served on the Task Force Against Racism. Gabriel through his generosity and love for Trinity donated a set of vestments. He was a true cradle Episcopalian and embraced every aspect of the faith.
Gabriel lived a long and happy life. He was loved, respected and admired by all who knew him. He was a humble servant of God. May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
The funeral of the Late Gabriel V. Bonadie will be held, as follows:
The Wake 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday January 9, 2020 at Redden’s Funeral Home, Inc. 325 West 14th Street,
New York, NY. 10014
The Service – 11 a.m. Friday January 10, 2020, at Trinity Church Wall Street, 89 Broadway
New York, New York 10271.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that you consider contributing to the Gabriel V. Bonadie Memorial Fund at the GoFundMe Link https://www.gofundme.com/f/gabriel-v-bonadie-memorial-fund. The fund will support a yet-to-be selected youth charity in St. Vincent & The Grenadines
Gabriel V. Bonadie, 94, , passed away on Saturday January 4, 2020 at Calvary Hospital, Bronx, NY. He died peacefully, attended by close family, and parishioners & clergy from Trinity Church Wall Street. Gabriel died as a result of smoke inhalation from a fire at his residence on December 3, 2019.
Gabriel was born in Bequia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, on October 8, 1925. The son of Clairmont and Maude Bonadie, (nee Peters). (Both Decd.) Brother of Rose, Casembe, Siolastica & Audrey. (All Decd.) Husband of Sybil. (Decd.) Father of Gillian & John-Paul, (Decd). Relative of the Peters (Bequia & USA) and the Clarke family (USA). He was uncle and God-Father to numerous nieces, nephews and in-laws, including: Dorothy, Irene & May, (all Decd), Stacy, Mercy, Barbara, Andrea & Alton, Gary & Juana, Jenny & Vinny, Tracy, Gary Ronson, Rachel & Keira, Alana & Ryan; Jennifer, Jacqueline, Crispin, McCally, Nicole, Ernest & Isla and many others. He is survived by his daughter, Gillian.
Gabriel held a Diploma from Cambridge University and a Diploma from the London School of Accountancy and Finance. In St. Vincent, he was a teacher, Asst Principal and Boy Scout Leader. He had a brief career in politics and government for several years immediately prior to immigrating, and served as Clerk of the Executive Council (Cabinet Secretary) of the St Vincent Government. Gabriel and family migrated to USA in 1972. He was employed for 26 years at Local 144 Fund Office of the Nursing Home, Hospital, Hotel, Civil Service and Affiliated Services Union, and was CEO of the Fund by the time he retired.
Gabriel was a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters Court, St. Vincent’s Morning Star No. 2298, and advanced to the rank of Past Chief Ranger.
He was a proud member of the No. 17 St. Vincent (1st Bequia) Scout Troop and advanced to the rank of Scout Master, District Scout Master, District Commissioner, and Assistant Chief Commissioner of St. Vincent. He was awarded the Wood Badge after attending, and successfully completing, the Wood Badge course in Trinidad and a written test administered by the Office of the Chief Scout of the Commonwealth. He was later appointed Deputy Camp Chief for training in St Vincent and the Grenadines by the Chief Scout of the Commonwealth. He attended the Boy Scout Jamboree in Idaho, USA as Deputy Contingent Leader of the St. Vincent, Grenada, Barbados and St. Lucia contingent. He was awarded the following. As a holder of the Wood Badge, he received the following:
• The Bead & Tongs Badge,
• The Gilwell Necktie and,
• The Gilwell Woggle & Badge
Gabriel was a life-long member of the Anglican / Episcopal church. He was christened at the St. Mary’s Episcopal Church on the island of Bequia. After immigrating to the USA in 1972, Gabriel became an active member of Trinity Church Wall Street. Here’s the amazing story about how the Bonadie family started attending Trinity:
Gabriel preceded his family in the USA and initially attended a different church at the instance of other relatives already residing in the city. However, the service was not familiar to him and when his wife, Sybil, joined him in NYC, she agreed, and they decided to look for another church to attend. One morning Sybil told him of a dream the previous night in which she saw the church they were to attend. In describing the church, she said: “when you walk up the steps at the entrance you will see a beautiful Chancel Stained Glass Window above the alter”. Needless to say, they had no idea where that church was, but agreed to use that as their guide. While at work later that day, (Sybil worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of NY) a friend at work invited Sybil to attend a noon service at a nearby church during their lunch break. Her friend brought her to Trinity Church. Imagine her surprise and delight when she walked up the steps and saw the beautiful stained-glass window of 1her dream. She shared this news with Gabriel and they decided to attend the Good Friday devotions that included the stations of cross. Gabriel not only saw the stained-glass window of Sybil’s dream, he also found that the service and the hymns were familiar. And so began this family’s decades of fellowship and service at Trinity.
He was a member of the Congregational Council and was the first congregational member to serve a seven-year term on the Vestry. He also served in various liturgical and lay leadership capacities; such as Sub-deacon, acolyte, lector and intercessor. He also served on the Task Force Against Racism. Gabriel through his generosity and love for Trinity donated a set of vestments. He was a true cradle Episcopalian and embraced every aspect of the faith.
Gabriel lived a long and happy life. He was loved, respected and admired by all who knew him. He was a humble servant of God. May his soul Rest in Eternal Peace.
The funeral of the Late Gabriel V. Bonadie will be held, as follows:
The Wake 4 - 7 p.m. Thursday January 9, 2020 at Redden’s Funeral Home, Inc. 325 West 14th Street,
New York, NY. 10014
The Service – 11 a.m. Friday January 10, 2020, at Trinity Church Wall Street, 89 Broadway
New York, New York 10271.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that you consider contributing to the Gabriel V. Bonadie Memorial Fund at the GoFundMe Link https://www.gofundme.com/f/gabriel-v-bonadie-memorial-fund. The fund will support a yet-to-be selected youth charity in St. Vincent & The Grenadines