SACO — Raymond Philip Bonang, 96, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018 at his riverside home. He was born Oct. 15, 1921 in Brunswick the son of Frederick and Marie (Theriault) Bonang.
Raymond attended St. John’s School and Brunswick High School in the Class of 1940. He graduated from Boston University in 1950 with a BS degree in Business Administration.
At the age of 19, Ray became the youngest store manager at York Beach, Maine for AH Benoit’s & Co and after managing the Benoit’s store in Boothbay Harbor the following year, entered the military in November 1942. In 1943, Raymond was assigned to the Pacific Theater. Duty sites included Port Moresby, New Guinea, the Island of Biak, and Luzon in The Philippines. The 880th Airborne Engineers key function was to build airstrips behind enemy lines for use by Allied aircraft and gliders. His war experiences included an attack by Japanese warplanes on his convey off The Philippines coast. The ship next to them was cut in half by a torpedo and Ray’s ship was assigned to rescue the survivors at sea. Ray was captured with two other soldiers on the Island of Biak on Christmas Eve by natives and was mercifully released unharmed several hours later. He was honorably discharged as a First Sergeant with a Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Theater Campaign Ribbon and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars. Ray was very proud of his World War II military service and enjoyed sharing his many experiences with others.
Upon military discharge in 1946, Ray returned to A.H. Benoit’s functioning as a branch manager at the Ogunquit Beach store. In September of that year Raymond married his long-time sweetheart Eleanore Fournier (Miss Maine 1943) of Westbrook, and the same month began his studies at Boston University. He had his first two children while attending BU.
Ray moved to Saco in 1954 and managed the Benoit’s store in Biddeford for many years. He later became Personnel Director of Allied Hampshire Footwear in Saco and then Personnel Director at The Saco Tannery Corporation until it closed in 1981. He also was very active in the business community, chairman on the Biddeford-Saco Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Club and was on the board of directors of Saint Francis College (now the University of New England). He was also a member of Maine Governor Brennan Council for Workman Compensation and Unemployment Insurance Committee. He was instrumental in the formation of the Saco Credit Union (now York County Federal Credit Union). He owned and operated Peugeot Country a moped/bicycle shop in Pepperell Square in the early 1980’s. He also worked part time at Scarborough Downs for over 30 years and was a longtime parishioner at Good Shepherd Parish Church. He was a member of the VFW and the oldest member of the Old Orchard Beach American Legion Post 57.
Raymond was predeceased by his wife Eleanore Fournier Bonang, son Dwight Bonang of St. Cloud, Florida, and daughter Elizabeth Bonang Tardif of Buxton, his parents, a brother Alden Bonang of Brunswick, three sisters; Melba and Annette Bonang of Brunswick and Theodora Seymour of Arlington, Virginia.
He is survived by his son, James Bonang (Jody Pontrello) of Bolingbrook, Ilinois, and daughter Karen Palladino (William Palladino) of Shapleigh, a brother Claude Bonang and his wife Ann of Brunswick; three sisters, Ella Caron of Lewiston, Louise Marchildon and her husband Don and Lorraine Gingras and her husband Adolph both of Manchester.
A Funeral Mass will be held Monday, Aug. 20 at 10 a.m. at Most Holy Trinity Church, Good Shepherd Parish 271 Main St, Saco. A Graveside Service will follow with Military Honors in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Saco.
To view Raymond’s memorial page or leave an online condolence, please visit www.cotefuneralhome.com
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Good Shepherd Parish 271 Main St, Saco, Maine 04072 (207) 282-3321 or The ALS Foundation 888-949-2577 www.alsa.org/donate
Comments are not available on this story.
Send questions/comments to the editors.