Obituary of Alfonso Eulalio Bonanza

Alfonso Eulalio “Al” Bonanza passed away July 3, 2018 in Olympia, Washington.  He was born August 9, 1926 to Rafael Bonanza and Elpidia Eulalio Bonanza in Cavite City, Philippines. Over the years, he also lived in Torrance, California, Laguna Hills, California, and Port Angeles, Washington.

Al’s preliminary schooling was in the Philippines. As a teenager in the Philippines during World War II, he aided the Allies; one task he performed was smuggling messages across enemy lines in the handlebars of his bicycle.  He served in the U.S. Navy from 1946 to 1950 as a machinist mate on the USS Wiltsie and Prairie.  He married Delsa Do Rosario on November 28, 1949 in Los Angeles.

Professionally, Al worked as an aerospace prototype machinist at NCR, North American Rockwell, and Boeing.  Among his projects were the X15 and Space Shuttle Columbia.  He earned his California teaching credentials in 1976 and taught at the Torrance SCROC Machine Shop.  He was a member of the Knights of Columbus at St. Catherine Laboure Church.  He enjoyed bowling, gardening, classic cars, and fishing.

Al was generous, selfless, patriotic and dedicated.  He always placed his family before himself, and delighted in his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  He loved and protected his wife to the end.

He is survived by his wife, Delsa M. Bonanza; daughters, Belinda Smith, Suzanne Harrison, and Carol Jones; nine grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; and sister, Lily Victa.  He was predeceased by his parents, Rafael and Elpidia Bonanza; and brother, Rudolfo Bonanza.

In honor of Al’s generosity, perform a kindness for a stranger.  To honor his dedication to children, please consider donating to St. Jude Children’s Research Center at https://www.stjude.org/give.html or 800-608-7836.