House Concurrent Resolution 68

(As Adopted by House and Senate)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF MR. JOE BONELLI, AND EXPRESSING DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COMMUNITY UPON HIS PASSING.

WHEREAS, it is written in Ecclesiastes 3:1 that "To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the Heaven," and as such, on October 10, 2018, the immaculate author and finisher of our soul's destiny summoned the mortal presence of dearly beloved, Mr. Joe Bonelli, to eternal rest, rendering great sorrow and loss to his family, friends and community; and

WHEREAS, the City of Vicksburg lost a wonderful friend and community leader with the passing of Mr. Bonelli, and there is now a hush in our hearts as we pay our respects to the memory of one who has been called to join that innumerable heavenly caravan; and

WHEREAS, Mr. Bonelli, whose family settled in Vicksburg in the 1800s, was born on June 12, 1956, and was a lifelong Vicksburg resident and a graduate of Vicksburg High School; and

WHEREAS, true love struck when Mr. Bonelli met the lovely Marla McBeath Bonelli, and the two became one when they exchanged the vows of holy matrimony, with the whispers of sweet nothings and the iconic words, "I do"; and

WHEREAS, a prominent Vicksburg businessman, Mr. Bonelli operated a general contracting business and worked in construction for more than 40 years and was also a real estate broker; and

WHEREAS, as a true gentleman with a passion for community service, Mr. Bonelli never met a stranger and always had a smile on his face no matter the circumstances, and as he is part of the many generations of Bonellis who have made Vicksburg a better place to live, he truly embodied what it means to be a Vicksburger; and

WHEREAS, a man of outstanding character and incredible stature, Mr. Bonelli was an avid outdoorsman who truly cared for his neighbors and wanted the city to be the best it could be, and he loved to tell old stories about Vicksburg, and approached the challenges of life with the same vigor and can-do attitude that came to personify him; and

WHEREAS, though he has traversed the river of life to reunite with those who answered God's summons to life eternal and now beckon his arrival to the celestial shores of Heaven's grandeur, the legacy of Mr. Bonelli's indelible imprint upon our lives will continue to refresh the hearts and fond memories of his beloved survivors, including his loving wife of 32 years, Marla McBeath Bonelli; sons, Joseph Michael Bonelli, Jr., and John McBeath Bonelli; granddaughters, Halle Grace Bonelli and Elizabeth James Bonelli; and a host of other relatives and dear friends; and

WHEREAS, we encourage Mr. Bonelli's family to find solace from the overwhelming sadness created by the earthly departure of their beloved family member and be renewed in their faith that he fulfilled the purpose of his appointed time in adherence to the commandment of II Timothy 4:7, by having "fought a good fight, finishing his course and keeping the faith until the hour of his departure was at hand"; and

WHEREAS, with his enduring courage, bravery and marvelous disposition, Mr. Bonelli was a selfless imparter of hope, life and light, and he certainly exemplified the qualities of perseverance and devotion to his family and his community, inspiring all of those around him to strive for excellence each day; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of this Legislature to honor and commend the lives of outstanding Mississippians, especially those such as Mr. Joe Bonelli, whose unparalleled service, dauntless fortitude and remarkable dedication to his family and his community brings honor to the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby mourn the loss and commemorate the life and legacy of Mr. Joe Bonelli, whose courage, bravery and life light illuminated the path of hope for all he encountered along this earthly sojourn, and express sincere and deepest sympathy to his family and friends upon his passing.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the family of Mr. Joe Bonelli and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.