James Edmmund Bonifazi

Jim Bonifazi

Jim Bonifazi, 79, of Unionville, MO, was a dedicated husband of 54 years and a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He passed away unexpectedly at Mercy Medical Center in Dubuque, IA, on Sunday, April 20, 2014.

James Edmund Bonifazi was born in Dubuque, IA, on October 20, 1934, the son of Felix and Marie (Kessler) Bonifazi, who preceded him in death.  He was reared in Dubuque and, after graduating from High School, attended college for one year before being drafted into the United States Army during the Korean War.  Jim returned to college after his service in the Army and graduated from Loras College in Dubuque with a degree in business.

Jim married Katherine “Kay” Risley in East Dubuque, IL, on October 1, 1960.  Jim worked for Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, IA, for five years, where he served in the production control department during the early days of the space program.  He later worked for a number of years as a production control manager for Carver Pump in Muscatine, IA, retiring in 1994.

Jim and Kay moved to Lake Thunderhead in Unionville, MO, upon Jim’s retirement.  Jim loved music, playing saxophone and clarinet in big bands and dance bands as well as in the Dubuque Community band.  He passed that love and talent for music along to his grandkids.  Jim also liked to fish and to play cards with a close group of friends.  He had a dry and quiet sense of humor that was especially appreciated by those closest to him.  Jim was a member of the Muscatine Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Musicians Union, the Knights of Columbus, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Unionville, MO.

Jim is survived by his wife, Kay, of Unionville, MO, and a daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Davis and her husband Scott of Laramie, WY.  His grandchildren are Nathaniel, Brandon, Bryant, Alexander, Kayla, Benjamin “Levi,” and Emily Davis.  Jim is also survived by a brother, Arthur Bonifazi and wife Patty of Tulsa, OK, and by two sisters, Dorothy Papenthein of Anamosa, IA, and Rose Marie Bonifazi of Dubuque, IA.

Jim was preceded in death by two brothers, John Bonifazi, who died in infancy, and Charles Bonifazi.

A funeral Mass for Jim Bonifazi will be celebrated at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 24, 2014.  Visitation will be at Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23.

Memorials for Jim are suggested to St. Mary’s Catholic Church or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital and may be entrusted with Playle and Jones Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO  63565.