Salvatore John Bonello

Salvatore “Sam” J. Bonello passed away on February 16, 2024, in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 87. Salvatore was a longtime resident of the Biloxi, MS, area.  He also lived many years in southwestern Missouri. 

Born in Detroit, MI, he moved as a young boy with his family to Los Angeles, CA, where he eventually attended Bakersfield College and received a Drafting Degree.  This led to his very successful career in the Aerospace Industry.   He got his start as a drafter for the infamous Howard Hughes at Hughes Aircraft Company in Culver City.  Sam moved up through the organization to the role of Aerospace Quality Engineer.  Notable projects were the “Huey” helicopter and the Tow and Tomahawk Missile systems.  

Sam ultimately retired from Hughes (now Raytheon) but continued his work for decades as an Aerospace Quality Engineer at various manufacturing companies, one of which brought him from California to the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Before leaving California, Sam also served as a Marine Reservist.  Sam additionally earned the credentials to develop, implement, certify, and inspect ISO:9001 Manufacturing Quality Management Systems around the world.  He excelled at every endeavor and took great pride in his work.

He also loved traveling with his wife Patricia.  And he was a natural travel planner who had great enthusiasm and passion for every detail to ensure their full enjoyment of their travels!  They travelled around the world together, often to Europe, for both his business and pleasure.  Favorite destinations were Switzerland and Italy. Two of their favorite travel companions were Patricia’s sister Peggy and her husband Michael.

Sam was also known for his sense of humor, outgoing personality and he loved to watch the New Orleans Saints Football games.  Sam grew up very close to and adored his 5 older sisters as their mother passed away at an early age.  As a child, he often entertained his siblings singing opera in Italian.  As an adult, he continued to enjoy listening to Italian Opera along with his wife Patricia and was known to belt it out occasionally still.

He is preceded in death by his parents John Bonello and Josephine Lacourt Bonello; his beloved wife of 48 years Patricia Barnes Bonello; sisters Marie Vitale, Genovee Pearson and Pauline Bartolotto, and former wife Linda DeBellis Bonello the mother of his three children.  He is survived by his sisters Rose Buzzetta and Josephine Jakob; children Josephine (Dana), John (Jamie) and Michael (Doree) Bonello; stepchildren with wife Patricia, Patti Lynn Hobson, Charles Ferrill (Phyllis), Dana Scott Ferrill (Josephine) and Brent (Debbie) Ferrill; and son Anthony Bonello.  Through his blended family, Sam is also survived by 11 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.   And his much-loved poodle-mix dog Marley.

Visitation will be Saturday, March 16, 2024, from 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. at the O'Neal Road Chapel of Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home.  A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. followed by interment in Southern Memorial Park in Biloxi, MS.

If you wish to make a memorial gesture in honor of Salvatore, the family prefers donations to Seasons Hospice MO which can be made online at:  Donate - Seasons Hospice MO | End of Life Care | Springfield, MO (springfieldhospice.com)

Bradford O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport, is honored to serve the family of Salvatore Bonello.