Thomas D. Bonavida

Thomas Dominic Bonavida, age 41, of Arvada died suddenly on April 27, 2015 due to complications from surgery for a brain tumor. Tom is survived by his wife, Janelle (Kietzmann) Bonavida and their son, Dante (age 2), and his unborn daughter, Mia (due in August). Tom is also survived by his mother, Marilou (Menchinger) Bonavida; his brother Bill and wife, Jackie, and their 2 children, Charlotte and James; his in-laws, Gary and Rita Kietzmann of Fort Collins; and brother-in-law Joey Kietzmann and wife, Ashley. Tom is also survived by several aunts and uncles: Ann and Bob Louthan, Lorraine Gruber, Mike and Carolyn Bonavida, Kathy and Richard Forsberg, and Dick Hatch. Tom is also survived by his cousins Bobbi (Rob) Kay and their sons (Max and Sam), Joe (Angie) Gruber and their children (Ben and Hannah), Charlie (Courtney) Gruber and their children (Brody and Greta), Kyra (Dave) Capizanni, Ryan Bonavida, Brad Bonavida, Peter (Anna) Forsberg and their daughter (Sage), Sarah (John) Tripp and their daughter (Madeline), and Karen Hatch. Tom was preceded in death by his father, Henry Bonavida, and his grandparents, Albino and Rena Bonavida, Ryan and Gertrude Menchinger, and Aunt Ann Hatch. Tom was born in Denver, Colorado and lived most of his life in Arvada or Westminster, CO. He attended Shrine of St. Anne School and graduated from Holy Family High School in 1993. Tom maintained a deep faith and he lived his faith by being a compassionate, generous, and loving person. As a child, Tom enjoyed taking family trips and attending several family dinners and get-togethers. He also enjoyed playing football, basketball, and swimming as a child. A high school highlight for Tom was playing center for the Holy Family Tigers and in his senior year, their basketball team played in the final 4 in class 3A. Tom also loved the Broncos and enjoyed watching their games with his Dad or close friends and family. As an adult, Tom also enjoyed working for the family business, which owns and manages rental properties. Tom was a ""handyman extraordinaire"" and enjoyed doing maintenance on the rental properties with his Dad and brother. Tom had a very strong work ethic and the tenants and owners enjoyed Tom's easygoing and friendly personality. Tom met his wife, Janelle, and they enjoyed spending quality time together taking drives, going out to eat, making each other laugh, and spending quality time together or with family and friends. Tom and Janelle were then blessed with their amazing son, Dante, and began the whole new adventure of parenting. Tom and Janelle loved taking Dante for walks, trips to the park, or on play dates with family and friends. Tom thoroughly enjoyed his flexible schedule which allowed him to take care of Dante a couple days a week and work a couple days a week. Tom truly shined as a father and husband and loved his family more than anything and it showed. Tom was always a happy and contented person. He was a kind, funny, entertaining, loving, and caring soul who had an undying love for his family. Our hearts are broken. Our loss is heavens gain. A Celebration of Tom's life will be held on Thursday, May 7, at 6:30pm at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community (7400 W 80th Ave. Arvada, CO 80003) in the Spirit Center. It will be an informal get together. You are asked to wear your favorite Broncos or sports attire. There will be a time to share memories, but if you would rather write out your memories for our family to read later, that would be appreciated too. A Memorial Mass will be held for Tom on Friday, May 8, at 11am at Spirit of Christ Catholic Community (7400 W 80th Ave. Arvada, CO 80003) in the Sanctuary, followed by a luncheon in The Spirit Center. In lieu of flowers, Tom's family asks that memorial donations in Tom's name can be made to one of the following (or a charity of your choice): Northwest United Federal Credit Union Your check may be made out to: Bonavida Children's Education Fund 6320 Olde Wadsworth Arvada, CO 80003 303-424-5037 A fund to help Janelle with medical and living expenses has been set up through the GiveForward website. Click on the link to donate: http://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/x8m8/janelle-bonavida-s-medical-amp-living-expense-fun Tom's family would like to thank everyone who has made a donation to the GiveForward fund already. We are humbled by your generosity and amazed at the number of friends who have followed Tom's journey; Tom's family is truly grateful for your support. Please share your memories of Thomas and condolences with his family by signing the guest book below.