DOVER-FOXCROFT – Ernest “Ernie” Bonsey, 73, died Jan. 21, 2012, in Dover-Foxcroft. He was born May 19, 1938, in Dover-Foxcroft, the son of Manley and Marguerite (Lary) Bonsey.
Ernie graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1957 and married his high school sweetheart, Dian Leighton of Willimantic, the following November. After high school, he went to work in the local tannery. Ernie soon left the tannery and went to work for his father’s home improvement company. Later, he moved to Waterville and went to work for Sears and Roebuck as a home improvement salesman. After leaving Sears, he started a well drilling business, Weeks and Bonsey Well Drilling, with his friend and business partner, Wayne Weeks. In 1975 Ernie returned to Dover-Foxcroft to run Bonsey Brothers, in anticipation of his father’s and uncle’s retirement. Upon their retirement, he became owner until his retirement in 2003. Ernie spent many summers with his family at his camp on Sebec Lake, where he enjoyed boating, swimming and sitting in his chair watching all the activity on the lake. He was an avid hunter, fisherman and snowmobiler, which he especially enjoyed with his wife, children and grandchildren. He also loved to go camping in many different places, especially in Cobscook and Seawall. He will be remembered by his large extended family and friends especially for his big loving smile and pretty sparkling blue eyes. Ernie was a member of Knights of Columbus, Dover-Foxcroft Kiwanis Club and Waterville Lions Club. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Dover-Foxcroft.
He was predeceased by his parents, Manley and Marguerite Bonsey; and his sister, Sharon Blockler. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Dian Leighton Bonsey; two very special dogs, Raven and Hank; five children, Michael Bonsey of Dover-Foxcroft, Gayle Bonsey of Dover-Foxcroft, Debbie Hayes and husband, Scott, of Dover-Foxcroft, Pam Richardson and husband, Ken, of Dover-Foxcroft and Melissa Ware and husband, Doug, of Guilford; seven grandchildren, Tyler Bonsey of Dover-Foxcroft, Jerod Hayes of Hallowell, Justin Hayes and girlfriend, Sam Young, of Caribou, Michaela Hayes of Dover-Foxcroft, Kate Nichols and husband, Thomas, of Joshua Tree, Calif., Jason Richardson of Portland and Christopher Ware of Guilford; two stepgrandchildren, Michelle Kearney and husband, Scott, of Lewiston and Stephen Ware of Houston; one very special great-granddaughter, Alexis “Lexi” Nichols of Joshua Tree, Calif.; and three great-stepgrandchildren, Caitlin, Austin and Andrew Kearney of Lewiston. He is also survived by a special aunt, Ann Dow of Augusta; a sister-in-law, Ruth Dauphinee and husband, Bill, of Willimantic; a brother-in-law, Milton Leighton and wife, Barbara, of Florham Park, N.J.; a brother-in-law, Lawrence Budden of Greenville; a brother-in-law, Nathan Blockler of Dover-Foxcroft; nieces and nephews, Lorrie Blockler of Sangerville, Ricky Blockler of Dover-Foxcroft, Jerry Blockler and wife, Shelley, of Sangerville, Danny Blockler of Dover-Foxcroft and Patty Blockler and husband, Derek, of Dover-Foxcroft; many great-nieces and great-nephews. The family thanks all the staff members, nurses and doctors who gave him such kind, wonderful care while he was at Hibbard Nursing Home. We will be forever grateful to you all.
Friends are invited to call 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 24, at Lary Funeral Home, Dover-Foxcroft. A Mass of Christian burial will be conducted 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Burial will take place in the spring in the family lot at Dover Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association, Maine Chapter, 170 Route 1, Suite 250, Falmouth, ME 04105. Messages of condolence and memories may be expressed at
www.laryfuneralhome.com.