Mercer Bonta

Mercer Thomas Bonta, 95, died on Friday morning, December 9, 2011 in his home in Carney’s Point NJ. Mercer was born in Paulsboro NJ on March 27, 1916 to Mildred Bonta. His younger sister, Irene Craft, predeceased him. Throughout his childhood and teenage years, he actively enjoyed such hobbies as delivering newspapers by bicycle before school, Boy Scouts, playing baseball and pitching in various community leagues, and developed a life-long passion for hunting and the United Methodist Church of Carney’s Point NJ, in which he was a founding member. One story he often liked to relay was when he was introduced to Mr. Connie Mack, manager of the Philadelphia Athletics, during a trip to a double header with his Penns Grove YMCA baseball team. Mercer graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1933 and went to work at DuPont Chambers Works in Deepwater NJ. In 1942, he joined the Army-Air Corps, and attended technical school in Chillicothe MO, followed by an assignment to New Mexico. At that time, he married the former Marie Kibler, of Penns Grove NJ, in Carlsbad NM, and shortly thereafter was sent to RAF (Royal Air Force) Station Watton in Norfolk, England for the duration of World War II. During this time he befriended several individuals with whom he would maintain contact throughout his life. His fondest memories included a trip to Scotland, packing equipment for the flights of the actor Jimmy Stewart, and numerous letters written between he and his wife. In 1945 he was honorably discharged as a Sergeant from the US Army, and returned to work at DuPont where he rose to a supervisory role in the Engineering Department before retiring in 1978. After retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife to Europe, Hawaii, and spent time in Fort Lauderdale FL and the outer banks of North Carolina for fishing trips. He actively participated in the United Methodist Church of Carney’s Point, was a lifetime member of the American Legion to include commanding Post 181, was a member of the Antler 20 Deer Club in Chatsworth NJ, and enjoyed investing in and researching various company stocks. Mercer is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marie K. Bonta; his daughter Sandra L. Branosky (Joseph); his grandchildren Natalie, Joel (Bernadette), Nathan (Rose) and Evan, and great-grandchildren Brendan and Gianna. Service arrangements are being made at the Ashcraft Funeral Home in Penns Grove NJ at the convenience of the family. He will be interred at Eglington Memorial Gardens in Clarksboro NJ. The family suggests any donations be made to United Methodist Church of Deepwater, 555 Broadway, P.O. Box 117, Deepwater NJ 08023.

Mercer Bonta

March 27, 1916 - December 9, 2011