James P. Bonney Jr.

Published 3:29 pm Monday, August 28, 2023

James P. Bonney Jr., 100, of Smithfield Va. passed away at his residence peacefully on 26 August 2023.

He was preceded in death by his parents James P. Bonney Sr. and Margaret McDermott Bonney of Pine Bush NY, his brothers Joseph Michael, Richard, Thomas, Robert, Daniel and his sisters, Mary B. Edmunds, Margaret B. Szemplenski, and Elnora Bonney. Jim is survived by his wife of 72 years, Barbara Turfler Bonney, his sons Paul Michael Bonney (Susan) of Smithfield and Daniel John Bonney (Kathy) of Eagle River Alaska, his grandchildren Jack Bonney (Abbie) of Anchorage Alaska, Kevin Bonney (Alex) of Anchorage Alaska, James A. Bonney (Warry) in Saudi Arabia, Michelle Sylvester (Ben) of Colorado, his great-grandchildren: Adelynn and Elliot Bonney, Russell and Lilly Ann Sylvester, Owen and Sam Bonney and many nieces and nephews.

Jim was born February 25, 1923 in Bay Ridge Brooklyn, New York. He moved to Burlingham and attended a one room stone school before graduating from Pine Bush High School in 1941. Jim proudly served in the U.S. Navy 1942-1946 both in the Atlantic and Pacific Theaters.

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Jim graduated with an Associate of Arts degree from Orange County Community College in Middletown, N.Y. He also attended Albany Law School for Town Justice training. Jim worked for thirty-two years in various N.Y. state institutions, including the Middletown State Hospital where he met and then married Barbara on 30 June 1951. He retired in 1978 as Chief Officer, Mid-Hudson Psychiatric Center in New Hampton, N.Y. Jim served as Town Justice for the town of Mount Hope, Otisville, N.Y. from 1976-1980.

Barbara and Jim moved to Smithfield Va in 2007.

Jim was a member of Roman Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Smithfield, VA, Grand Jurors Association, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus and the N.Y. State Civil Service Employees Association.

Mass and burial will be in Orange County Veterans Cemetery, Goshen NY on a date to be determined. Condolences maybe made online at littlesfuneralhome.com or ocfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: Bonney Nursing Scholarship, Attn: Scholarship Coordinator, P.O. Box 670, Pine Bush New York 12566. Arrangements are under the care of Littles Funeral Home, Smithfield Va and Ingrassia Funeral Home, Middletown New York.