Richard E. Del Bonta
Obituary
Richard E. Del Bonta passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 23, 2025 in Watsonville, CA.
The son of Helene M. Loustalot Del Bonta and Edward F. Del Bonta, both of San Francisco, Rick (only ever called Richard by some of the less flexible nuns at St. Monica's) was a native San Franciscan, who kept a lifelong pride in his roots and teams (Go Niners! Go Giants!). Rick was a graduate of the aforementioned St. Monica's in San Francisco, St. Ignatius Preparatory (boo to you Sacred Heart), and Loyola University Los Angeles, as well as multiple graduate programs. Rick took great pride in having a strong Jesuit education and was not afraid to let you know frequently.
Rick was born with a lifelong love of learning. Whether it was during the early days as a Boy Scout (Eagle Scout), practicing his accordion (cue Lady of Spain), ongoing reading of Depression-era literature, switching careers to IT and systems support, or, most recently, learning new songs to play with the band at Valley Heights Senior Rental Community. Rick also believed in our responsibility to do for others and was the President of Loyola's Crimson Circle service organization. Rick also was a great tennis player and an avid golfer.
Rick also had a love of hamming it up, er, performing. While in college, Rick and his best buddy formed an improv group with a couple other people. They specialized in audience suggestions. He also held his own in many faculty sketches over the years, as well as family skits. Rick was a musician, singer, writer, and poet. In addition to the accordion, (you can still hear Lady of Spain, right?) Rick also played the piano, the kalimba, and guitar. Some might suggest his favorite song was, "It's a Small World After All." He wouldn't, but some might. Also, Rick was a whiz at cards, crossword puzzles in pen, Trivial Pursuit, and Jeopardy.
Rick took his fine Jesuit education and became a teacher. For him, this was a vocation. Unhappily so for his father, who wanted him to be a doctor. For 16 years, Rick taught English, Creative Writing, Speech, was the Debate club sponsor, and was an administrator at Bishop O'Dowd High School (Go Dragons!) in Oakland. For many years after he left O'Dowd, Rick could be found once a semester in Boris Kastel's class giving his "Big Trees" talk. After O'Dowd, Rick spent a few years as a Vice Principal at Salesian in Richmond. Prior to retirement, Rick taught multiple subjects and many kinds of programs around the Bay Area: students with special needs at Le Cheim School; one-on-one tutoring; training for adults changing careers, recovering from injuries, or re-entering the workforce after incarceration; and volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for kids in foster care. Being the born educator he was, after retirement and moving to Santa Cruz County, Rick was a volunteer English teacher at his local library. Never one for not having an opinion, Rick also wrote movie reviews for a local Peninsula newspaper for a time.
Throughout his life, Rick was able to create a wonderful community. Rick was a champion hide-and-seek player (on top of book cases and balancing on doorframes). Rick's love of puns, satire, and stupid jokes was nearly legendary. Rick's intelligence, laughter, and friendship will be missed deeply by many. "A Roman walks into a bar and says, 'I'll have a martinus.' The bartender says, 'Don't you mean a martini?' The Roman says, 'If I wanted two, I'd order two.'"
Rick is survived by his three daughters: Adrien Del Bonta and husband Trent Davis, Eireann Del Bonta, Antonie Del Bonta and husband Michael Maroney. And grandchildren: Fineas and Ciaran Del Bonta-Smith, Conor Davis, and Claire and Cathleen Moroney. Rick is also survived by his brother, David Del Bonta (Jeri), and was predeceased by his brother Paul Del Bonta (Suzette). Rick is also survived by a whole lot of cousins, nieces and nephews, grand nieces and nephews - and a vast horde of extended family and friends.
Dad, while you're up there, if you could do something about the Giants and Niners, that would be great. While we are still here, we will keep working on the small trees.
Mehl's Colonial Chapel has been entrusted with the funeral arrangements.
Published in The Pajaronian · September 3, 2025