BONNEY, Edward Oliver Bonney

Affectionately known as “Bon” or “Bonney” to all who loved him. Peacefully passed away Monday, February 16, 2026, in his 88th year; surrounded by love.  Adored husband of Christine for 45 years. Cherished father to Nancy McKinnon (Allen) and Steven Bonney. Special Grand-Dad to grandchildren Kylar, Devorah, Jake, Chelsea, and Averea.  Devoted Uncle Bonney to Susan (Stuart), Louise (Greg), Russell (Nicky), Stuart (Rachel) and their children – all in Nottingham, England. Predeceased by his father Walter and mother Lydia, dearest sister Joyce, brother-in-law Russell, and infant siblings Roy and Irene – Mansfield, England.  Treasured lifelong friend to Leo Lyons (U.K.), Tony and Myra Hinchcliffe (U.K.), Pete and Sara Phillips, Jan W., Pete and Maureen Godden, and John and Judy Wright (Hamilton).

Born in 1938 in Bethnal Green, London, England. After surviving his early years in London’s underground during WWII, he and his family moved to Mansfield where he grew up.  He attended Southwell Minster school.  He found his love of music by playing many instruments but focused on and mastered bass guitar.  He was a phenomenal bassist and was a founding member of Mansfield’s Shane Fenton and the Fentones band in 1960.  They found great success in the early ‘60s throughout England and Europe and played with legendary fellow musicians during that time.  Music was his true passion that spanned his entire life.

Dad emigrated to Canada settling in Hamilton in 1966.  Here he met his 1st wife Gail – marrying in 1971.  They started our little family with Nancy, who was born in 1972 and Steven in 1973.  An auto mechanic by trade, Dad’s heart was in music and travel and founded The Carousel band, touring locally and throughout Canada.  He was a magician as well and held shows at local malls, fairs and parties.  After separating, he travelled to B.C. where he met Christine.  They moved back to Ontario and married in 1980. Many will remember Dad and Christine with their old-tyme photo parlour, and then family crests and name histories (Sherwood Heraldry) in ON shopping malls, Toronto’s Royal Winter Fair, and the CNE from the early 1980s through to 2019.

Dad never kept idle – traveling, playing bass, restoring his beloved 1912 Model T Ford; proudly showing in at local auto shows, getting his personal pilot’s license; flying his planes out of Grimsby Air Park until he gave up flying in 2012. He was an avid collector of antique cameras, phonographs, music, aircraft and autos, spending his spare time intensely studying the history of each.  He travelled back and forth to the U.K. with his music well into his late ‘70s.  Even in LTC, Dad would take part in Pub Night or Drum Circle by trying to play guitar or drums.

He was a unique, kind, quiet man who loved rock and roll.  He was fortunate enough to live the life he dreamed of and travel where and when he wanted, while enjoying his many passions to the fullest. He lived 45 + years with Christine by his side each day – even in LTC, reunified with each other in 2023. Alzheimer’s Disease may have taken away Dad’s memories of his life in Canada, his family and friends, but it never touched his love of music, the beat within him, or his home “England” in his heart.  He will be missed beyond measure and was loved more than he ever knew.

If you so wish, please donate to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada. Heartfelt thanks to all those who supported Dad in his LTC journey and who helped me navigate for Dad as he would have wished.