Michael Andrew Bonello

Michael Andrew Bonello passed away on Sunday, November 28, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado. He was 49 years old. He was surrounded by the loving embrace of his mother, his sister, and a beloved friend. He will be forever and dearly missed by his family and friends.

Michael was born in Reno, Nevada, and was raised in Grand Junction, Colorado. He also resided in San Francisco, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Austin, Texas; and Everett, Washington. He enjoyed traveling, especially the freedom to take his time and explore on road trips both solo and with friends. Michael loved spending time in nature and camping. He found immense beauty, happiness, and peace basking in the splendor of the high mountains.

Michael was a renaissance man in his studies and interests. He was a graduate of Grand Junction High School in 1990. He graduated with summa cum laude honors in 2010 from the University of Texas, Austin, in the subjects of history and business. Music was always present and played a tremendous part in his life. As a lover of music and an intensely thoughtful musician, he was a songwriter, singer, and guitarist who could also play the harmonica with the best of them. Michael was a writer, poet, voracious reader, and history buff. He was a foodie who found such joy and laughter in sharing and preparing meals with friends and family, particularly BBQ and plentiful crawfish boils. He once surprised family with a Charles Dickens-inspired gourmet Christmas dinner of roast duck. Michael also proudly carried the honor only a select few have of knowing the recipe for his Grandma Bonello’s spaghetti sauce. He enjoyed preparing the family dish for others, while also holding the ‘secret’ recipe close to his heart.

Michael was a loving son, brother, uncle, and friend. He was a joker with a wicked sense of humor. He could make anyone laugh, and always did. His friends hold fond memories of the “adventures” they shared with him which were always filled with music, jokes, exploring, and much laughter. He would do anything for his family and friends.

Michael was a gentle, loving, kind, and generous person. He was profoundly deep, soulful, and contemplative. As the oldest of three children, he took on the role of protector. He yearned for nothing more than understanding, and a simple life of friends and family. His breathtakingly beautiful ability to forgive others will be a lifelong inspiration to those surviving him. May he rest in peace knowing the tremendous love and pride his family had for him.

Michael is survived by his mother, Diane Bonello; father, Monty Bonello; sister, Noel Aieta; and brother, Andrew Bonello. His family would like to express their appreciation and gratitude for Michael’s dear friend, LisaMarie Pinder, for her tremendous help and support, and for her loving friendship with Michael.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MartinMortuary.com for the Bonello family.