June 28, 1923 – September 16, 2012
After a life of service to his country, his community, and those he loved, Harry Bruce “Doc” Bonallo, 89, passed away peacefully at home in Blaine with his wife of 65 years and family members by his side.
Born June 28, 1923, in Butte, Montana, to Herbert and Myrtle Bonallo, Harry moved to North Idaho where he met his future wife, Evelyn Young.
He attended Hayden Lake Grade School, Coeur d’Alene High School, and North Idaho Junior College before enlisting in the U.S. Army to serve as a medic, under General Patton, with the 87th Infantry “Golden Acorn” Division in France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Germany and Czechoslovakia.
After the War, Harry entered the veterinary medicine program at Washington State College (WSU) and upon graduation began his career as a veterinarian for the US Department of Agriculture working along the US/Canadian border in Montana, Idaho and Washington, moving to Blaine in 1966.
“Doc” served on the Blaine School District School Board, as a city council member and as mayor of Blaine.
In their retirement years, Doc and Evelyn enjoyed traveling around the U.S., Canada and Scotland, spending time with family and friends.
Harry was preceded in death by his parents, twin sisters, Marjorie and Rhea, and brother-in-law, Larry Peters.
He is survived by his wife, Evelyn; brother, Herbert; children. Barbara Bonallo, Colleen Wear, Trish (Loren) Loop, Daniel Bonallo (Paula), Fred Bonallo (Kathi), Lois (Kurt) Olden and Robin (Michael) Anthony; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren who have fond memories of Grampa Doc—his sense of humor, his good natured practical jokes and his pure pleasure in the simple joys of life.
The family asks, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Blaine Food Bank, Whatcom Hospice or United Church of Christ.
Published in Bellingham Herald on September 23, 2012