Donald Owen Bonnell

Don Bonnell lived a full and happy life. He knew what he wanted and pursued and fulfilled his dreams with passion, bringing joy, laughter, kindness, and love to the world. He earned the nickname “Happy” with his smile that lit up every room, his boisterous laugh, his robust sense of humor, his joy and his positive attitude that uplifted everyone around him. Don brought his positive attitude into every aspect of his life and into the lives of those he loved. He was patient, a great listener with a calming presence and an unwavering faith that everything was going to be OK. He bolstered and reassured those he loved through every challenge with his faith, his playfulness and humor, and unconditional love and positivity.

Don grew up in a loving home in Colorado with his parents and three sisters. Don’s passion for dance led him to NYC to pursue an almost life-long career as a dancer. There, he also met the love of his life, Jane. He performed on Broadway, at Radio City Music Hall, in multiple touring companies across the country and in Canada, and in various television specials.

Don’s love of dance was only surpassed by his devotion to his family and all those he loved. As his two children grew, Don began a second career at UPS, where he worked a night shift for 25 years. At the same time he kept his hand in “performance”: he greeted attendees of conferences at the Javitz Center, was Santa at Macy’s SantaLand, and acted as an extra in films. Don enjoyed spending time hiking, visiting with family, traveling, juggling, boxing, going to the theater and other dance, music, and cultural events. After Don retired from UPS he and Jane moved to Longmont, Colorado to be close to family.

Don will be greatly missed by all those who survive him: his wife, Jane, son James, daughter Juliet, daughter-in-law Val, son-in-law Shunnie, grandsons Benjamin and Adam, sisters Kathy and Jackie, and other family members and friends. There will be a gathering to celebrate Don’s life at a future time.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the Parkinson Association of the Rockies (https://parkinsonrockies.org), or Cultivate, a non-profit that supports seniors' independence in Boulder County (https://cultivate.ngo).