Alfred “Fred” Francis Bonazzoli Jr., age 95, passed away peacefully at his Hopkinton, MA home on May 26, 2023. He was born on June 15, 1927 in Sudbury, MA to Alfred F. Bonazzoli Sr. and Ida (Menegola Bellisario). He was the husband of the late Carol (Millar) Bonazzoli who passed away on February
Fred’s early education was at the one-room Redstone School in Sudbury, set up by Henry Ford. Dad remembers Mr. Ford visiting one day. Dad bragged that he was near the top of his high school class. That class was made up of thirteen students. Weeks after graduating in 1944, at age 17, he signed up with the Navy during WWII. Fred served on the U.S.S. Cascade as a radioman in the Pacific. After the war, Fred attended and graduated from Clarkson University under the G.I. Bill.While still in school, he married Dorothy A. Donnelly of Framingham. The family moved to Holliston in 1954, where they raised their four children. After college, Dad worked with his father’s company, The Bonazzoli Corp, in Framingham. He later became president of that firm.
Fred was active in the Framingham area with the Metrowest Chamber of Commerce, The YMCA, Metrowest Hospital, Shawmut Bank, and was involved in many other organizations. He was a very charitable man, but would never talk about that. Later in life, Fred was a lucky man when he met Carol Millar. They were soon an item and they were married for 31 years. Fred and Carol especially loved their beachfront home on Captiva Island on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Both took up golf and made lots of friends who shared their sport. That Carol and Fred traveled the world would not be an overstatement. From Alaska to Tierra del Fuego, whether cruising the Yangtze or the Amazon Rivers, they always had a great time on their adventures. Those were really happy times, and even though they loved seeing places and new things, they especially enjoyed the people they would meet and the friends they would make.
Fred is survived by his children, Paul Bonazzoli (Patty), Karen Bonazzoli, Gail Haberski (Stanley), and Heather Warner (Nelson). He also leaves behind his stepchildren; Kristin Brigham, Karen Hutchinson (Alan) Kathy Reynolds (Paul), and Kim Winer (Will); his grandchildren, Kevin Haberski, Adam Haberski (Haley), Michelle Santos (Aldo)., Melanie & Matthew Warner, Cameron & Evan Brigham, Megan Spomer (Kurt), Maggie & Alex Reynolds, Lindsay Hutchinson (Zach), Amanda Hutchinson (Matt), and Julie Hutchinson, and John & Becki Winer; great-grandchildren, Samantha & Jessica Haberski, Korbin Spomer, Isla Heniff-Haberski, and Cecelia Santos; and his sister, Rosalind Loxsom. Fred is predeceased by his wife, Dorothy (Donnelly), and their infant son, Phillip, and sisters, Gloria Welzel, and Lydia Summers.
Funeral services are being held privately with burial in Mt. Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury. Arrangements are under the care of the Chesmore Funeral Home of Hopkinton. Donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project or charity of your choice.
Fred was a very successful businessperson and a loyal fan of all things MetroWest.
He exhibited his enthusiasm for the region through his participation in numerous
volunteer activities.
Most importantly Fred was real gentleman!
Timothy. Thank you for the kind thoughts. It means a lot to me. I will share with the family.
Karen Bonazzoli – Fred’s daughter.