Arthur John Bonito

Arthur John Bonito passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina on Dec 3, 2025 at age 82. He will be missed dearly by many as he was very active in his community and a well-respected member of many groups and organizations over the years. After losing his loving wife Maria in 2013, Arthur bravely battled Parkinson's Disease until his passing.

Arthur was born Nov 20, 1943 to Rose and Arthur A. Bonito in the Roxbury section of Boston, Massachusetts. His brother Richard Charles was born six years later. Arthur excelled as a student and athlete, graduating top of his class and serving as captain of his high school football team and president of the National Honor Society. He attended Holy Cross College and received his BA in sociology. He met his wife, Maria, working in the GE plant during the summer. After marrying, they both pursued Masters Degrees at Purdue University where they lived together in student housing for married couples. Arthur continued his studies and received his PhD in sociology from Johns Hopkins University. The young professional couple then moved to Baltimore where Arthur worked for the Department of Health and served as a consultant to the World Health Organization working on international studies on public dental health care. It was there in Baltimore that Arthur and Maria started their family of three boys, Victor, Anthony and Gregory.

In 1978, Arthur moved his family to North Carolina and began work at Research Triangle Institute. Arthur was very active in his children’s sports activities and traveled statewide for swim competitions. He served as an official for the local swim team leagues, coach of his son’s CASL soccer team, the Cardinals. Arthur also served as president of the Tarheel Swimming Association in the late 1980’s, and was Chief of his sons’ Indian Guides tribe. He made many friends and was well respected and valued for his integrity, honesty and reliability.

Arthur and Maria became founding members of the St. Francis Parish where they now will rest together in the Columbarium. Arthur volunteered providing meals to the unhoused in downtown Raleigh and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in their mission to provide housing. He involved his children in his service activities and took great pride in being a role model for many. He was hard working and kind and supported many groups providing services to those less fortunate including the Food Bank of N.C. and the Red Cross. His family hosted foreign exchange students, international guests and extended family with abundant generosity and sensitivity.

Family was very important to Arthur who was a compassionate son, attentive and loving husband, dedicated father, loyal brother and supportive and playful grandfather. He cared for his parents in-law in his home for six years, cared and supported his wife through a terminal cancer illness for three years and spent lots of time with both his grandchildren through their childhoods. Arthur enjoyed traveling and explored much of Europe with his family as well as Hawaii, Fiji and Australia. In 1987, Arthur drove his family cross country to experience Yellowstone and many other National Parks along the way. He enjoyed spending time in nature and gardening and dreamed of milking goats on a farm to make cheese. He enjoyed walks on the beach, up mountains, and through forests. He tent camped with his family on the outer banks, Carolina coast and Appalachian mountains in the 80’s before acquiring a timeshare in North Myrtle Beach.

Arthur is survived by his three sons Victor, Anthony and Gregory, his grandsons Aldo and Felix, his brother Richard and his niece Jessica and nephew Jeff. He will be missed by his daughters in law Rebecca and Patricia. We will all miss Arthur’s quick wit, cheeky sense of humor, his considerate help and wise counsel. His legacy is one of integrity, honesty and respect. Arthur John Bonito was a great man and truly loved.

A memorial service will be held in the Saint Mary of the Angels Chapel at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church on Jan. 2, 2026 at 2pm.

Memorial donations can be made in Arthur’s name to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for research into a cure for Parkinson's Disease by following the link below.

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