The following informal audio interviews were conducted as part of an interview project when visiting the home of Frank and Alice Bonfiglio in Sylvania, Ohio in 2014.
Oral Histories: In Memoriam
Rest in Peace Frank and Alice
We sat at a small table in their kitchen, alongside my Macbook which recorded their voices. At first the interview felt unusual, a formal and unconventional conversation after driving hours to visit my grandparents, it was the first time I had come to their home alone.
I had used my GPS to find their small brick home with its square windows was nestled along a quite street. It an older community with one to two bed room houses neatly situated in small plots and large tree-lined avenues, likely all built alongside the baby boom of the 1950s. Their construction was fitting, it was around this same time that my grandpa, a World War Two veteran, would have returned to Ohio and met my grandmother– they too built their family of seven children in the same era these houses had been constructed. Parking along the street I rang the doorbell and waited on the porch. My grandma Alice answered, her small fragile frame reaching in for a careful clasp of a hug. She always dressed politely, in her favorite shades of blue matching her eyes, with matching earrings and necklace. My grandpa Frank set in his recliner in the living room, with his long legs crossed and white new balance sneakers jutting out from their end as a Notre Dame football game played on the TV in the background. His eyes squinted from behind features exaggerated by age as he called out with a large smile, “Well look who it is,” his words came out with a fond brashness.
My grandma agreed to meet with me first, as I outlined the details of the interview and noted the audio would be the trickiest part, internally apprehensive that my grandfather who was not known for his silences, might add in his own audio in the background. As I set up my computer, my eyes scanned the room, an ‘I’m with her’ Hilary Clinton magnet adorned the refrigerator. Across from the table there was sliding glass door that led outside to a small fenced in lot with vines intertwined in the fencing and beyond it, a white detached garage. On the far wall hung a clock with different songbirds signifying each hour. The kitchen was spotless and quiet, aside from the hum of a football game playing in the adjourning blue and white living room.
Mr. Franklin Paul Bonfiglio
1927- 2020
Article Courtesy of Walker Funeral Homes
Franklin (Frank) Paul Bonfiglio passed into the Lord’s presence on July 13, 2020 in Sylvania, Ohio at the age of 92. He was accompanied by family in his home at Oakleaf Village. Frank was born on September 3, 1927 in Defiance, Ohio to his late parents Paul and Erma Bonfiglio.
Frank attended Lima Central High School where he played varsity football. After graduating high school, he initially attended the University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during his first year in college and was stationed in Germany, where he was able to travel to Italy and visit the town of his heritage. Upon discharge from the army, he attended Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. He played football as a defensive end and graduated with a degree in Education.
Frank started his career in banking at The City Loan and Savings Company in Maumee, Ohio before marrying Alice Pauline Dow on May 9, 1953 in Tiffin, Ohio. He and Alice lived in numer-ous Ohio locations including Maumee, Warren, Sandusky, Tiffin, and Toledo. He was highly re-spected as a manager and leader. Frank retired from City Loan Bank in 1990.
He was a devoted husband as well as a cherished father of seven children who was actively involved in his children’s activities and sports. He coached many of the boys’ baseball teams over the years and he rarely missed a game. He also rarely missed a concert, a recital, a track meet, a gymnastics meet, an art show, a volleyball game, a play performance (no matter how small the part or how many performances), a parent-teacher night, or any other event that in-volved his children.
He was active in the Catholic Church and sang in multiple choirs throughout their various moves. He and Alice traveled the U.S. and Canada extensively during their retirement. Frank was preceded in death by Alice after 65 years of marriage.
He loved his wife. He loved his family. He loved life. He lived well. And he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by sons Mike (Dawn) Bonfiglio of Sylvania, Ohio, Paul (Robin) Bonfiglio of Sylva-nia, Ohio; Mark Bonfiglio of Palm Beach Gardens, FL; daughters Debra Stevens of Keene, NH, Linda (Robert) Gress of Evergreen, CO, Amy (David) Garner of Stow, OH, and Karen (Alden) Craddock of Wildwood, MO; sixteen grandchildren, two step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; brothers Richard (Jeannine) Bonfiglio of Murrysville, PA, Ron (Mary) Bonfiglio of Greenville, OH; sister Rosie (Keith) Adams of Greenville, OH.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his sister, Kate and brother-in-law Rich Romaker, sister-in law Audrey Bonfiglio, daughter-in-law Karen Marie Bonfiglio and grand-child Jacqueline Robin Bonfiglio.
A private Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Toledo, Ohio. The service can be watched live beginning at 11:00 am on Thursday, July 16, 2020 by visiting our website, www.walkerfuneralhomes.com, and selecting Frank’s name under Toledo obituar-ies.
Mrs. Alice Pauline Dow Bonfiglio
1931- 2019
Article Courtesy of Walker Funeral Homes
Alice Pauline Bonfiglio passed into the presence of the Lord on January 8, 2019 in Sylvania, Ohio at the age of 87. She was surrounded by her loving husband and family. Alice was born on August 19, 1931 in Tiffin, Ohio, to her late parents Robert and Marion (McIntyre) Dow.
Alice attended New Washington High School. After graduating high school, she attended Mercy Hospital Nursing School in Toledo. She graduated with a Registered Nursing degree and worked as a nurse at Mercy Hospital before marrying Franklin Paul Bonfiglio on May 9, 1953 in Tiffin, Ohio. She and Frank lived in numerous Ohio locations including Maumee, Warren, Sandusky, Tiffin and Toledo. She devoted many years of her life to raising seven children. Once her children were grown, she returned to her nursing career at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital in Warren, Ohio. Alice retired from nursing when she and Frank moved to Tiffin.
She was a loved and revered wife as well as a cherished mother who worked tirelessly to care for her husband and family. Alice was active in the Catholic Church, singing in the choir, participating in Bible Studies, and serving in a ministry which provided beautiful, hand-made “Prayer Blankets” to those in need. She was an accomplished seamstress, making many dresses, nightgowns and robes for her children and even a boy’s suit for her youngest son. She loved spending time in God’s nature in many ways, including gardening and bird watching. She and Frank traveled the U.S. and Canada extensively during their retirement. Her particular love was of Alaska and the Canadian Rockies.
She is survived by her loving husband of 65 years, Franklin Paul Bonfiglio; sons Mike (Dawn) Bonfiglio of Sylvania, OH, Paul (Robin) Bonfiglio of Sylvania, OH, Mark Bonfiglio of Palm Beach Gardens FL; daughters Debra Stevens of Keene NH, Linda (Robert) Gress of Evergreen CO, Amy (David) Garner of Stow, OH, and Karen (Alden) Craddock of Wildwood MO; sixteen grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren and one due in February; sister-in-law Jeanine Dow of Shelby OH; brother David (Jane) Dow of Tiffin OH; sisters Jane (James) Ewald of Tiffin, OH, and Laura (Kenneth) Klepacz of Peoria, AZ.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her brothers, Gerald Dow and Robert H. Dow, Jr.; sisters Mary Agnes Kreim and Eileen Marie Munson; daughter-in-law Karen Marie Bonfiglio; and grandchild Jacqueline Robin Bonfiglio.
Friends may attend visitation hours at Maison-Dardene-Walker Funeral Home, 501 Conant Street in Maumee, Ohio from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Thursday, January 10, 2019. An additional hour of visitation will be held at 9:30 am Friday, January 11 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 2255 Central Grove, Toledo Ohio. A Funeral Mass will follow at 10:30 am at the church. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Maumee after the church services. The family suggests memorials to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church. Condolences may be shared with the family at walkerfuneralhomes.com