Nicholas J. Bonagura, Sr., 88, passed away on Monday, December 31, 2012. His family will receive friends at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home of Livingston, 145 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., on Friday, 2-4 & 7-9 PM. The Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be offered at St. Raphael's Church, 346 E. Mt. Pleasant Ave., Livingston, tentatively on Saturday at 9:30 AM followed by the committal service at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, Kansas 66675. (Please call the funeral home, 973-992-1414 to verify time of Mass)
Born in Pennsylvania, Nicholas spent most of his life in Paterson. Serving in the Army during World War II, he received the Purple Heart Medal for injuries sustained in battle. He and his late brother, Carmen, owned and operated the B & B Cleaners in Totowa for many years. Prior, he was a jazz guitarist and owned a music store where he also taught guitar and was a member of the Musicians' Union.
Nicholas was predeceased by his wife Rose (nee: Corpi) , son Frank C. and siblings Carmen, Angelo, Anna, Julia and Florence Matosian. He is survived by his devoted son, Nicholas J., Jr. and wife Theresa his loving grandchildren, Kristopher, Matthew, Jerilyn and his beloved sister, Maria Bevacqua.