Joe Bonacquista
March 29, 1942 ~ July 16, 2024
Born in:
Trinidad, Colorado
Resided in:
Pueblo, Colorado
Joe Bonacquista, 82, died peacefully at home surrounded by family on July 16, 2024, after a hard-fought battle with melanoma. He was born March 29, 1942, in Trinidad, Colorado to Joe and Martha Bonacquista. He is survived by his beloved wife, June; his son, Jeff (Shelese); daughter, Janelle Cahill (Bryan); grandchildren, Tyler and Alaina Bonacquista, Sarah and Brennan Cahill; brother, Richard (Melissa); sister-in-law, Carol LaVaque; and niece, Annaliese Bonacquista (Jason Brown) and nephews, Anthony Bonacquista (BriAnne) and Timothy LaVaque; as well as a great-niece and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brother-in-law, Arthur LaVaque.
Joe was raised in Trinidad and was a two-sport stand-out at Trinidad High School. He attended Trinidad State Junior College for a year, then transferred to the University of Northern Colorado (Colorado State College) on athletic scholarships where he obtained both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Education. He was an admired U.S. and Colorado history, civics and government teacher at Corwin Middle School, Weld Central, Roncalli, and East High Schools, having spent his last 28 years in education at East.
Anyone who knew Joe, knew of his love of baseball and passion for coaching. He played on many fields from his time as a young boy all the way into his late 70’s. Along the way he acquired many accolades including top hitting and all-star team recognitions. As an athlete he earned 4 collegiate letters and competed in the College World Series. Joe spent his mid 20’s with the semi-pro Pueblo Diablos. During his 30’s and 40’s he imparted his vast and deep knowledge of the game with Pueblo’s youth. As most men in their 50’s, 60’s and 70’s are relaxing on the porch, Joe was playing in the Men’s Senior Baseball League (MSBL) with the Denver Zephyrs, Chicago Skyliners and South Dakota Rushmores winning 8 National Championships. He has been honored with inductions into multiple Halls of Fame throughout Colorado.
Joe’s love of family was undeniable and evident in everything he did. Family gatherings included huge feasts of pasta, laughter, and endless stories. The most memorable stories were of his earlier years working on his family’s cattle ranch, as well as stories from his father’s coal mining days.
Joe was an avid fisherman and hunter, and enjoyed relaxing in the outdoors. He spent many afternoons with his wife of 59 years, June, fishing and camping. He also enjoyed riding his Harley, and proudly cheering on his grandchildren in their various musical and athletic events.
Joe was a founding parishioner of Our Lady of the Meadows Catholic Church, a longtime member of the Runyon Field Board, and Secretary of the Greater Pueblo Sports Association.
Joe was a beloved husband, dad, grandpa, brother, uncle, teacher, coach, mentor and friend. He always had a story to tell, lessons to teach, and nicknames for those he liked best.
Joe’s services start with a rosary at 2 p.m. followed by a funeral Mass at 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 22nd, at Our Lady of the Meadows Catholic Church, 23 Starling Dr.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Joe’s name to Runyon Field or the American Cancer Society. Online condolences, www.MontgomerySteward.com
Services
Rosary: July 22, 2024 2:00 pm
Our Lady of the Meadows
23 Starling Drive
Pueblo, CO 81005
719-542-1552
Funeral Mass: July 22, 2024 2:30 pm
Our Lady of the Meadows
23 Starling Drive
Pueblo, CO 81005
719-542-1552
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My sincere condolences to the family of Joe Bonaquista, whose mother was my grade school teacher at Park Street elementary school in the early 1950’s. The Bonaquista family lived only about two blocks from mine and I used to play with Joe and his younger brother at their home and yard in those days, but lost contact over the years. They were an outstanding model family and I am not surprised that Joe kept that tradition.
I am so sorry for your loss. Mr. B will always remain in my heart as one of my strongest guiding lights with his soft spoken gentleness and fatherly advice. A truly great man. My sincere condolences.
Max Bellino
Jeff and the entire family,
My deepest condolences on the loss of an amazing man. May all of your wonderful memories help you through this difficult time.
Danielle Whitmore
East High School – Class of ’77
I did not know Joe but his mom was my favorite teacher in Trinidad. She was a very special lady. Sounds like Joe was a very special person also and a great teacher, son, husband, father, grandfather and all around person. I am very sorry for your loss. Sending prayers for comfort.
It is with great sadness that we learned of the passing of Joe. Our sincerest sympathy goes out to his wife June and family. Joe was always the perfect gentleman, soft spoken, sincere and always with a smile. He was always willing to talk about baseball and his team’s efforts as the grew older. He was a very special and positive representative from and for Pueblo. Joe will truly be missed by all who were blessed in knowing him.
When we got to him all he said was “It’ll take more than that to keep me down”!
One of Pueblo’s finest Coachs, Teachers and Baseball Players, RIP Coach B!
I am sorry to hear of the passing of Joe, he was always so kind to me. I love all of the Bonacquista family and know that I am praying for you all.
Dear June, it was always a pleasure seeing the both of you at Passkey. Our sincere condolences to you and your family.
Janelle and family,
My sincere condolences. Lots of healing prayers sent your way.
Our condolences to the Bonacquista family! My Son Justin And I had the honor and privilege to play ball with Joe in the Trinidad Alumni Classic for many years! He was one great guy to talk to and be around and he will certainly be missed! R.I.P. Joe💔 Your friends Cordell and Justin Herrera!
Such a wonderful person he taught me at Roncalli and. Never had a bad thing to say about anyone, he will be missed!
I knew Joe when we were in high school. Later we became neighbors in Pueblo. We lived across the street from each other on Fordham Circle for over 40 years, and our kids grew up together. In addition to his notable athletic and academic achievements, Joe was a gentleman and a devoted family man. I was sad to learn of his passing. My condolences and heartfelt sympathy go out to his wife June and all of the family.
Lifting up prayers of peace and comfort for the family as God welcomes Mr. Bonacquista home. Coach had a major impact on my life and so many others. Rest in peace, Coach.
Mark G
May you Rest in Peace God bless
Such an amazing man!
Rest In Heavenly Peace!🙏
Sad day for Pueblo. Joe was one of a kind. Very respectful & easy to talk to. Really enjoyed his presence.
RIP, my good man.
Coach Tom Brockman
Such a great man, teacher and role model for me as a student at East. My condolences to his wife and family.
June & family I’m so sorry about Joe. My condolences to the family. I just saw you a couple of weeks ago at King Soopers & I asked you about Joe. I always saw him at the Southwest Deli. We’d always chat. You told me he wasn’t doing well. I felt so bad. I went to East but I don’t think he taught there at the time. My sister had him. She always spoke so highly of him. One of her favorite teachers. He will be missed. God be with you all.
God Bless You! God Bless his family!
My sincere condolences to his family, Joe was colleague and friend with whom I enjoyed sharing stories with about Trinidad and my family. He also taught both of my daughters. My youngest daughter had to do a family tree for his class and come to find out he grew up with my uncles and played sports with them in high school. His students enjoyed his class and my daughters spoke very fondly of him. He will be missed.
Rest peacefully, you have given so many so much.
My parents, both from Trinidad and born around the same time – and my aunts and uncles – knew Mr. Bonacquista as friends long before my brothers and I would know and love him as his students at East in the 1980s. I always felt a special affinity for Mr. B related to a shared family history of Italian immigration, stories about the coal mines, ties to The Ludlow Massacre, and a familiarity with and love for Trinidad. My brothers and I lost our parents last year, and I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife and his children, as well as the rest of his family. The loss of a beloved parent is jolting and the well of grief runs deep. Your dad and your family are in my prayers tonight.
Mr. Bonacquista remains one of the most influential people in my life! He taught with such a gentle spirit, encouraged me with a love for learning, and coached with all his heart! I’m so grateful he remained in my life all these years later! My thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends!
My deepest condolences to Mr.Bonacquista family! He was my history teacher my sophomore year 1972 at East. He was a very caring and thoughtful teacher. He helped me through some tough times. God Bless all of you 🙏🙏🙏
I am so sorry for your loss.
I had the pleasure of teaching with Joe at East. He wrote impeccable lesson plans and helped me finesse my plans and to become a better teacher. Joe was very much a gentleman and dressed to the nines. I always teased him about his ‘Pat Boone’ shoes. Joe had a wonderful sense of humor and liked to play practical jokes on us. He planned some good ones. Whether talking about baseball or his family, he always had a smile on his face. The last time I saw him, he was picking up a sandwich to take to his lovely bride, June. They don’t make many like Joe anymore. He will be missed. My heart hurts for his family. My sincere condolences. 🙏❤🙏
Deanna Strait
Ken Lane
East Class of 1976
He was my “home room” teacher for 4 years at East High and one of my history teachers too. A great man, with a gentle and sharp wit, but plenty of nicknames and jokes too. May your soul rest in peace Mr B.
My sincere condolences to the family. Mr. Bonacquista touched so many lives. There are so many touching tributes in the Facebook Fallen Eagle page which shows the support and knowledge he gave to so many students and people.