Obituaries

Robert Warren Bonnell of Oswego, NY passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family January 14th.

He was born in Elmira, New York September 11th 1942.  He was a graduate of a Corning  Northside High School class of 1961. While there he was on the basketball, track and field (shotput) and football team. Then earned an Associates degree of  forestry at  lake city junior college. Next earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Photography at Utah State University. There he was a walk-on for the Football team . Go Aggies! Also excelled at track and field competing  in the hammer throw. He then earned a Bachelors of Science in Industrial Arts from Suny Oswego and a Masters in curriculum and Instruction. 

He was a lifelong lover of learning. Passionate about nature, fishing, animals, and photography. His proudest achievement was his children, and grandchildren whom he loved beyond measure. If you ever met him he would tell you so and he would treat you like family with one of his famous bear hugs. 

Robert was dedicated to the Oswego education and sports community. Photographing sports events, volunteering for team dinners, fundraisers and cheering on the Buccaneers. He and his wife Kathy took great pride in volunteering for the Blessings in a backpack program and giving back to the community. He loved teaching and playing chess with his kids and grandkids. He was a true renaissance man whose talents and passions were broad and far reaching. 

During his lifetime he was a draftsman at ward lefrance designing Fire Engines. His passion for photography continued professionally at Ithaca College where he was their Campus Photographer for 8 years. His amazing  photography talent was selected  for the 1972 school Christmas card while he was there. A fact he and his family are very proud of. He was a progress photographer during construction of the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art at Cornell University designed by I.M Pei. Later he worked in Education in Oswego where he taught Drivers Education.

He was a lifetime member of Elks BPOE 271 of 62 years. Also the American Legion and VFW through his Father Warren. 

He is predeceased by his parents Warren and Irene (Lepkowski) Bonnell. Survived by his Wife Kathryn (Harrington) Bonnell, Daughters Christine O'Hearn, Kim and Tony Edwards and Julianne and Kristopher Wilson. Sons Kevin Bonnell and Sean and Kirby Bonnell. Grandchildren Victoria (Damian) Bryan, Brendan, Nathan, Hadleigh, Everhett, Truett. Great grandchildren Alex, Sophie and Sawyer. 

We will love you forever and always. 

Funeral services are private and at the convenience of the family.

There are no calling hours.

Arrangements are in the care of the Dowdle Funeral Home.