SMSgt Richard Raymond Bonin, Sr.

SMSgt Richard Raymond Bonin Sr, USAF, Ret, age 81 of D'Iberville, passed away on Thursday, December 9, 2021 and is now reunited with his wife, of 57 years, Blanche Y. Bonin after a six-year battle with Parkinson's and Dementia. Richard was born in Lowell, MA on May 21, 1940 to Raymond and Cecile Bonin. Graduated from Lowell High School in 1957 and enlisted in the Air Force in 1959, at which point he poured his heart and soul into it for the next 41 years. Twenty-Five of which the majority was spent at Keesler AFB with a few remote tours overseas, and sixteen years of Civil Service. After his Civil Service he worked at Keesler Commissary for thirteen years. Richard's first duty assignment with the Air Force was to Diyarbakir, Turkey, where he maintained the AN/FPS-17 Heavy Ground Radar System. Upon returning to the USA with his career field being discontinued, Richard was assigned to Hanscom AFB, MA where he cross trained into the Aircraft Electronic Navigation Field. He became qualified to maintain such aircraft as the C-130's, KC-135's, F-102's and many more. Richard held various positions throughout his career such as instructor, Instructor Supervisor, Shift and Shop Supervisor. At Richard's final assignment he served as NCOIC Navigation Maintenance Section, then as Superintendent Airborne Battlefield Command and Control Center (ABCCC) Maintenance Section; then as Superintendent Communications Navigation Branch responsible for electronic maintenance on 16, C-130 aircraft, and electronic equipment used for technical training in Dolan, Hewes and Garrad Halls. He was selected 3380th Avionics Maintenance Squadron and Deputy Commander for Maintenance outstanding Senior NCO of the year 1980. Richard retired from the Air Force in 1984. Richard's 16 years of Civil Service work was as Civil Service Electronic Instructor for the 332 TRS in the Electronic Warfare Flight. Receiving thirteen Superior Performance awards in 16 years he served as the Subject Mater Expert for Maintenance Management Block, the ALR-20 Panoramic Receiver Block and ALQ-184 Electronic Warfare Attack POD Intermediate Level Maintenance Block. He is preceded in death by his parents, Raymond H. and Cecile Bonin and his loving wife, Blanche Y. (Gregoire) Bonin. Richard is survived by his five children, Elaine Geiser (Michael), D'Iberville, Deborah Barron (Kenneth) FL, Richard Bonin Jr. (Faith), Biloxi, Joseph Bonin, Biloxi, Lisa Poss, CO; eleven grandchildren, sixteen great grandchildren and sister, Elaine Woten (Richard) DE. The family would like to offer our sincere appreciation to the staff at SADD Health Care and Hospice who cared for Richard and became like family, especially to his aide Anna, who would make him smile on those days she told him she was going to give him that shave he loved so much. A visitation will be held Tuesday, December 14, 2021 at Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home on Howard Ave., Biloxi from 10 AM - 11 AM with a funeral service following at 11 AM. Interment will be at Biloxi National Cemetery at 12:30 PM. Bradford-O’Keefe Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Richard Raymond Bonin. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of SMSgt Richard Raymond Bonin, Sr. please visit our Sympathy Store.