Mario Bonilla passed away September 21, 2024 at Whatcom Hospice House after a short bout with pancreatic cancer. Many thanks to the staff there for their kindness.
Memorial services are being held at 2 pm this Friday, September 27, at the LDS Stake Center at 2550 Thornton Road in Ferndale. He will be laid to rest in Enterprise Cemetery immediately after the funeral.
Mario is survived by Sandra, his wife of 55 years; son Gabriel and his wife Nicole, son Nic and his wife Rachel, and sons Mario and Luke; and daughters Angela and husband Larry, Jessica and husband Jeff, and Amanda and husband Kellin. He was preceded in death by his siblings Elías, Linda, Alberto, and Alma, and is survived by his sister Yolanda. He was an adoring grandfather who went to great lengths (and drove great distances) to pass his wisdom on to his thirteen grandchildren. He was a brother who dedicated his later years to maintaining relationships with his siblings and nieces and nephews, and he treated every person he met like a first-degree blood relative.
Mario was a Navy veteran who served in Viet Nam and the Philippines. He was elected for twelve years as a Whatcom County Cemetery Commissioner, served as a Big Brother, visited schools as a Junior Achievement mentor, and served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club. He was a Brother in Christ to many LDS people over seven decades of service, and he made friends with people and dogs everywhere he went. He will be remembered for his laugh and his love for his family and for humanity.
This obituary was provided by a community member. Any opinions are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publisher of Whatcom News nor its advertisers or supporters. Information and claims contained within have not been verified.
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