Former longtime resident and Centralia businessman, Aloysius “Al” Bonagofski, 84, passed away in his sleep Dec. 19, 2017, after a four year battle with alzheimer’s and vascular dementia. He was born to Roy and Irene Bonagofski Sept. 24, 1933, in Selfridge, N.D. When he was 14, his family moved to Chehalis and then Centralia, where he graduated from high school in 1951. He was drafted into the United States Army and served briefly at the end of the Korean War. After some college, he worked as a mechanic and in the electronic field.
On May 27, 1967, Al married Terri Weber, who survives him; as well as their three children, Kevin (Kari) Bonagofski, Brenda Menendez and Corey (Kim) Bonagofski; and seven grandchildren, Timothy, Isaac, Elliott, Marcus, Gina, Riley and Blake; four brothers; Joe, Jack, Jerry and Jim; six sisters: Amelia Rodriguez, Eva Hensley, Rose Kitchel, Veronica Parker, Monica Villines (4/3/18) and Lavonne Riggen; and lots of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Marian Simpokes and Alice Niemcziek; brother, Vic Bonagofski; and nieces and nephews.
Al was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Centralia, and St. George Catholic Church in Arizona. A gathering to celebrate his life will be held Saturday, July 21, 2018, at St. Mary’s Parish Hall from 1 to 3 p.m. Donations can be made to Banner Alzheimer Institute, 901 E Willetta St. Phoenix, AZ 85006.
