Doug Bonifas

Doug Bonifas, age 73, of Celina, Ohio, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at OSU Medical Center in Columbus. He was born December 19th, 1950 in Celina to the late Emmit and Doris (Pfoff) Bonifas. Later, Doug drove “the Bonz Brown Bomber” from Coldwater, OH to the other side of the lake to take the love his life Diane (Wright) Bonifas from St. Marys’s. OH on their first date. After marriage, Doug and Diane raised their five children to be Celina Bulldogs for life! Diane survives at the residence in Celina.

Doug is survived by his children, Nikki Bonifas, Bowling Green, Ohio, Betsy Bonifas, Cincinnati, Ohio, Molly (Willis) Edwards, Liberty Township, Ohio, Brady (Megan) Bonifas, Lewis Center, Ohio and Bailie (Talon) Parker, Liberty Township, Ohio; eight grandchildren, Carli, Mallory, Banks, Beau, Morgy, Wren, Luca and Rivi; siblings, Jackie Lemons, Chandler, Arizona, Scott Bonifas, Coldwater, Roxi (Jim) Boise, Celina, Teri Bonifas, Celina, Julie Bonifas-Huber, Celina; two brothers-in-law, Dave (Jodi) Wright, St. Marys and Tony Wright, St. Marys; and a sister-in-law, Pam (Ted) Fox, St. Marys; and many nieces and nephews.

He is also preceded in death by two sisters, Nita Rae Thornsberry and Lynda Macke and two brothers, Eddie Bonifas and Dennis Bonifas; in-laws, Don (Maxine) Wright; and a young man that he loved like a son, Allen Harruff, Jr.

Doug was a 1969 graduate of Coldwater High School, where he was a man to be reckoned with on the football field. Later he went on to attend Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, where he continued his love for football. He retired from PAX Machine in Celina after many years of service and was the only employee to ever use his 5 weeks of vacation days earned consecutively.

He was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Celina and his faith was extremely strong.

He enjoyed watching high school, college and professional football and his unwavering loyalty to THE OHIO STATE football team as well as his consistently losing CLEVELAND BROWNS will always remain strong. Many of Doug’s years were spent coaching his daughters and son in sports. Some of his children were more coachable than others. When Doug became a grandparent his life became full circle. He was so proud of his children and grandchildren. He will be deeply missed by all of them as they all were blessed with his daily phone calls.

Beyond Doug’s legacy of his love for his wife, children and grandchildren was his gift of kindness and friendship. He didn’t know a stranger and this was a testament to how he spread goodwill daily.

Gathering of family and friends will take place on Thursday, May 9, 2024, from 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Cisco Funeral Home in Celina.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 11:00 am on Friday, May 10, 2024, at the Immaculate Conception Church in Celina with Fr. John Tonkin officiating. The family will receive friends from 9:30 am – 10:30 am at the funeral home Friday morning.

Burial will follow at North Grove Cemetery in Celina.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to SATB2 Gene Foundation, 3050 Five Forks Tickum Road, Suite D – 524, Lilburn, GA 30047. https://satb2gene.org/donate/ The support of this foundation will be very important to the memory of Doug as his granddaughter Morgy Edwards has SATB2.

Cisco Funeral Homes of Celina & St. Marys are honored to care for Doug and his family. To pay respects and to leave online condolences or memories, visit www.ciscofuneralhome.com or Cisco Funeral Home Facebook page.