Freeman James Bonnar
Born In: Sydney Mines
Born: July 17th, 1928
Passed in: North Sydney
Passed on: November 10th, 2015
Freeman James Bonnar, 87, of Sydney Mines, N.S., passed away peacefully Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2015, at the Northside General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born in Sydney Mines on July 17, 1928, Freeman was the son of the late James and Maggie (Robinson) Bonnar, and stepson of the late Elizabeth (Kettle) Bonnar.
Freeman grew up in Sydney Mines and held great affection for his community and all those in it. It was here that he met and married his soulmate, Margie. He bravely served his country in the Korean War, and upon his return was employed as a coal miner for 38 years until his retirement. He was a faithful member of St. Pius X parish.
Freeman's family will remember him as a kind-hearted and loving man who made them laugh every day (his sense of humour was second to none). He made friends wherever he went and was loved by all those who were fortunate enough to know him. Throughout his life Freeman enjoyed travelling, sitting around a campfire, playing cards on a Friday night, bowling, and dancing up a storm at the legion. In his later years he could be found taking long drives with his wife, tinkering with his car, doting on his great-grandchildren and still dancing up a storm on a Saturday night.
Freeman is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Margie (Serroul) Bonnar; daughter, Mary (Jake Rendell) Bonnar, Georges River; grandchildren, Stacy (Jamie) Billard, Georges River, Jamie (Michelle) Rendell, Sydney Mines, Shaun (Cheryl) Rendell, Sydney; great-grandchildren, Abby, Max, Isabel and Madelyn; sister, Brenda (Jack) Billard; brothers-in-law, Pat (Lenore) Serroul, Ontario, Leo (Eileen) Serroul, Sydney, Donnie (Kathy) Serroul, Ontario; sisters-in-law, Kay (Eddie) Blanchard, Sydney, Beverly (Mike) Hemmings, Sydney, Rosie (Frank) Barassa, Ontario, Mona (Darryl) Bennett, Sydney Mines, Frances (Ron) Britten, Timberlea, Marlene Serroul, Ontario, Carolyn Serroul, Ontario, and Shirley Serroul, Ontario; and many loving nieces, nephews and extended family.
He was predeceased by his father-in-law, William Joseph Serroul; mother-in-law, Sarah Catherine Serroul; and brothers-in law, Jack Serroul, Joseph (Noonie) Serroul, Tom Serroul and Robert Serroul.
He will be missed and not soon forgotten.
At Freeman's request, cremation has taken place and there will be no visitation. The funeral mass will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015, at 10 a.m. in Holy Family Church, Main Street, Sydney Mines, with Fr. James Oliver officiating. Burial to follow in the parish cemetery.
A special thank you to the nursing staff at the Northside General Hospital for their loving care and compassion.
Donations in Freeman's memory may be made to the Northside General Hospital Foundation or a charity of one's choice.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to his family at www.jmjobesfuneralhome.ca.
