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As received from Memorial Chapel Funeral and Cremation Service:
Michael P. “Mike” Bonini, 74, passed away on December 15, 2023, at Canal View following a lengthy illness.
He was born on July 24, 1949, in Hancock, to Ambrose and Olga (Kangas) Bonini.
Following graduation from Hancock Central High School in 1968, he completed an auto body repair course at Northern Michigan University and began working at Evert’s Motors.
He then enlisted in the Navy and following boot camp was assigned to the USS Trenton. Once discharged from the Navy, Mike opened and operated the Hilltop Body Shop. He also completed an auto mechanic program at the MoTech Automotive Center where he earned several MI motor vehicle certified licenses.
He married Robin Vial on August 8, 1975.
Mike worked for several construction companies managing numerous road and building projects throughout the state. He retired from Payne & Dolan in 2014 and was a member of Local 324 Operating Engineers.
He also served with the U.S. Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 – Seabees for more than 20 years retiring as a Senior Chief Equipment Operator.
Mike was a member of the Quincy-Franklin-Hancock Township Fire Department with close to 50 years of dedicated service. He held many officer positions including chief. He was a certified fire instructor teaching and training many local volunteer firefighters.
Mike was a member of the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club. His metal detector was always in his vehicle ready for action at any given time. He loved showing and sharing his “finds” with anyone interested. He started the children’s prospecting area at the club’s annual show, enjoyed salting the pile with coins, copper, and odds and ends he found during the year, and watching the excitement the children exhibited when they found something.
Mike was an avid learner and teacher. If there was a training of some sort going on you could always find him in the audience. He enjoyed breakfast with the guys at the Suomi Restaurant. He had a passion for flowers often bringing home bouquets of wildflowers and ensuring the tables at the fire hall events had floral centerpieces. Mike was a man of many talents and interests. He was always available to lend a helping hand to anyone in need. His family was his greatest joy. He will be greatly missed by family and friends.
Besides his parents, Mike was proceeded in death by three brothers, Ambrose (Patricia), Anthony, and Robert, his father-in-law Clayton Vial, brother-in-law Walter Anderson, sister-in-law Suzann Vial, two nephews Paul Michael Hermanson and Robbie Allen, and a niece Shelley Hietala.
Surviving are his wife, Robin, son Nicolas, daughter Quinci (Anthony) Captain; four special and amazing grandchildren Tallyn, Ember, Clayton, and Baylor Bonini; his siblings Maryann Anderson, Caroline (Harry) Erkkila, George (Rosalie) Bonini, Rosemarie (Paul) Hermanson, Barbara Rickard, Patricia (Bill) Carbine, Lorraine Bonini; mother-in-law Charlene Vial, brothers-in-law Daniel Vial, Joseph (Ken Griffith) Vial, and Steven Vial; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Mike’s family would like to thank Aspirus at Home Care & Hospice and the staff at Canal View for their kind, compassionate care and comfort given to Mike.
Per Mike’s wishes, cremation has taken place. There will be a celebration of his life this summer.
To view Mike’s obituary or to send condolences to the family please visit www.memoriralchapel.net.
The Memorial Chapel Funeral & Cremation Service – Hancock Chapel is assisting the family with the arrangements.
