Obituary for Simone "Sam" Bonanno
BONANNO, Simone Nicholas "Sam", 89 of South San Francisco, was reunited with his beloved wife Joanie in heaven as he passed quietly and peacefully in his sleep on December 29, 2023; the 61st anniversary of their wedding day.
Sam, the second child, born on November 2, 1934, to parents Nick and Mary Bonanno, was the most loving and devoted husband, father of Karen (Brian) Kane and Tim (Carolyn) Bonanno. Adoring Nono to grandchildren Sam, Noelle and Dorothy. Brother to Ed Bonanno and Nancy Paoli. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Amedeo Bonanno, sister Vicky (Richard) Hunt, sister-in-law Barbara Bonanno, and brother-in-law Gary Paoli.
At the age of 10, Sam began working in the construction business, digging foundations for homes. He later learned the skills that went into tearing down as well as building houses. In high school, he worked as a hod carrier and shoemaker. He often joked “As a shoemaker, I was saving soles and heels. As a teacher, I’m still saving souls and heels”. His early years in construction continued after he started his teaching career. He and his brother, Amedeo (also a teacher) owned and operated Bonanno Associates Construction for 25 years.
As a high schooler, he participated in football, track, baseball, and glee club. He held the record for PAT’s (Points After Touchdown) in high school, was the first to be a student guest on the “Science in Action” television program and won Outstanding Achievement Award in the Ford Motors Industrial Arts Competition.
He went on to attend San Francisco State University, where he majored in Industrial Arts. He also played football alongside “Jolting” Joe Verducci, became friends and sang with Johnny Mathis, and was a member of Epsilon Pi Tau Industrial Arts Honor Society. After graduating from San Francisco State University in 1957, Sam began his teaching career at Westmoor High School.
His next teaching position would take him to South San Francisco High School, where he taught from 1959 until his retirement in 1995. He returned to teaching in 2002 to keep the Industrial Arts Program open at South City High. In 2010, he retired the title “teacher” and became a “volunteer” for the next 10 years. Over his 50 years in education, he impacted the lives of countless students and players. During his time at South City High, Sam also coached football, track, and cross country. From 1969 to 1978, his teams won six championships. As a football coach, he had a record of 42 and 0 and in 1973, his team went undefeated with no team able to score a single point. As a coach, his favorite quote to his players was “If they don’t score on you, you can’t lose”.
In 1962, Sam took a fishing trip to Minnesota. He loved to say that his best catch was a 98 pound Norwegian girl named Joanie, who became his wife in 1962.
Sam was a very active member of many groups in the Bay Area. He was a member of the ICF Branch 7, South San Francisco High School Boosters, San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, South San Francisco YMI Council #32, Opus Club, South City Historical Society, Colma Creek Flood Control, and the Italian American Social Club.
Friends may visit between 4 PM-7 PM on Monday, January 8, with Rosary at 7 PM at Garden Chapel, 885 El Camino Real, South San Francisco. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 10 AM, All Souls Church, corners of Miller and Walnut Avenues, South San Francisco.
Contributions may be made in memory of Sam Bonanno to South San Francisco High School Boosters, 400 B St, South San Francisco, CA 94080 or the South San Francisco High School Scholarship, 400 B Street, South San Francisco, CA 94080.
Sam, the second child, born on November 2, 1934, to parents Nick and Mary Bonanno, was the most loving and devoted husband, father of Karen (Brian) Kane and Tim (Carolyn) Bonanno. Adoring Nono to grandchildren Sam, Noelle and Dorothy. Brother to Ed Bonanno and Nancy Paoli. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Amedeo Bonanno, sister Vicky (Richard) Hunt, sister-in-law Barbara Bonanno, and brother-in-law Gary Paoli.
At the age of 10, Sam began working in the construction business, digging foundations for homes. He later learned the skills that went into tearing down as well as building houses. In high school, he worked as a hod carrier and shoemaker. He often joked “As a shoemaker, I was saving soles and heels. As a teacher, I’m still saving souls and heels”. His early years in construction continued after he started his teaching career. He and his brother, Amedeo (also a teacher) owned and operated Bonanno Associates Construction for 25 years.
As a high schooler, he participated in football, track, baseball, and glee club. He held the record for PAT’s (Points After Touchdown) in high school, was the first to be a student guest on the “Science in Action” television program and won Outstanding Achievement Award in the Ford Motors Industrial Arts Competition.
He went on to attend San Francisco State University, where he majored in Industrial Arts. He also played football alongside “Jolting” Joe Verducci, became friends and sang with Johnny Mathis, and was a member of Epsilon Pi Tau Industrial Arts Honor Society. After graduating from San Francisco State University in 1957, Sam began his teaching career at Westmoor High School.
His next teaching position would take him to South San Francisco High School, where he taught from 1959 until his retirement in 1995. He returned to teaching in 2002 to keep the Industrial Arts Program open at South City High. In 2010, he retired the title “teacher” and became a “volunteer” for the next 10 years. Over his 50 years in education, he impacted the lives of countless students and players. During his time at South City High, Sam also coached football, track, and cross country. From 1969 to 1978, his teams won six championships. As a football coach, he had a record of 42 and 0 and in 1973, his team went undefeated with no team able to score a single point. As a coach, his favorite quote to his players was “If they don’t score on you, you can’t lose”.
In 1962, Sam took a fishing trip to Minnesota. He loved to say that his best catch was a 98 pound Norwegian girl named Joanie, who became his wife in 1962.
Sam was a very active member of many groups in the Bay Area. He was a member of the ICF Branch 7, South San Francisco High School Boosters, San Francisco Italian Athletic Club, South San Francisco YMI Council #32, Opus Club, South City Historical Society, Colma Creek Flood Control, and the Italian American Social Club.
Friends may visit between 4 PM-7 PM on Monday, January 8, with Rosary at 7 PM at Garden Chapel, 885 El Camino Real, South San Francisco. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, January 9, 10 AM, All Souls Church, corners of Miller and Walnut Avenues, South San Francisco.
Contributions may be made in memory of Sam Bonanno to South San Francisco High School Boosters, 400 B St, South San Francisco, CA 94080 or the South San Francisco High School Scholarship, 400 B Street, South San Francisco, CA 94080.