David F. Bonato
David F. Bonato, 74, of Moses Lake, passed away March 25, 2008, after a courageous battle with bone cancer.
He was born in Spearfish, S.D. on Nov. 17, 1933, to Florendo "John" and Ethel Bonato. When he was very young he often acted as a guide for his dad who was blind, leading him around Deadwood and Lead where they bought furniture for the family second hand store.
Shortly before he turned 18 he joined the U.S. Navy and was sent to San Diego by train for boot camp. He said the train ride was fun, boot camp was not! He was stationed on the U.S.S. O'Brian, a destroyer during the Korean War. During his tour of duty, his ship made two trips to the Far East and he also earned his GED. He was honorably discharged in September 1954 and shortly after married Cathy Berry in Los Angeles. They moved to Denver, Colo., in 1955 where they had two sons David Jr. and Anthony. In 1957 he and his family moved back to California where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting while working for the Santa Fe Railroad, and later for North American Aviation. While in California they had a third son, Jonathan. In 1961 Dave brought his family to Washington moving to Yakima to be closer to relatives.
He was hired by the accounting firm of Boyd, Olofson and Company, working in Yakima briefly and then transferring to the Ellensburg office in 1962. While living in Ellensburg, Dave enjoyed fishing with his family, day trips, and treasure hunting. He also farmed for a short time. He was divorced from Cathy in 1973, and moved to Moses Lake in 1976 to become managing partner of the local office. He spent 22 years with the company, the last seven as a partner and the last two as managing partner of the firm (seven offices and 120 accountants). In 1983 Dave opened his own office David F. Bonato C.P.A. In 1984 he married Regan (Berryhill-Schrag). Together they worked at the CPA practice, were best friends and did nearly everything together. He wanted to keep the practice a family affair and employed his children and grandchildren however he could.
Dave served as treasurer for the Grant County Fair and the Mennonite Country Auction for many years, and was an active member and treasurer of the Rotary Club of Moses Lake. He enjoyed working through Rotary as service to the community, but especially loved the fellowship and made many long-lasting friendships. He enjoyed hosting a Rotary exchange student from Thailand, and being a host family for the Taishin Group from Japan for many years.
Family was very important and he loved summer barbecues, weekly card games and family get-togethers. He made a point to travel back to South Dakota for annual visits to relatives. He went out of his way to help the family in any way he could, and had a very special relationship with his granddaughter Jennifer.
He particularly enjoyed treasure hunting at auctions and yard sales. This pastime started early with coin and stamp collecting, and eventually led to selling on ebay, an activity which much of the family came to enjoy together over the past few years.
He is survived by his wife Regan, his son David Jr. and daughter-in-law Gayle, sons Anthony and Jonathan, two stepsons Barry (and Dawn) Schrag, and Kenneth (and Yasuko) Schrag, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, sister Helen (and Art) Bissenden, brother Leroy Bonato and a close niece Susan Schrier. He was predeceased by his parents and two grandchilden, Tony and Matthew Bonato.
A memorial service will be held at the Assembly of God Church at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 31 with a time of fellowship to follow. He will be buried at Menno in a private family ceremony. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake. You may sign the guestbook or leave a note for the family at www.kayserschapel.com
Memorials may be made to The Rotary Foundation or the Rotary Scholarship Foundation, PO Box 525, Moses Lake, WA 98837.