Obituary of Richard Panerali

Richard Benedict Panerali, 88, loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, joined his wife Bonnie - the love of his life- for a beautiful reunion in heaven on May 21, 2021. Born August 16, 1932 in Chicago, Illinois to Benedict and Mary, Richard spent his childhood in Chicago with his parents, siblings and extended family, including cousins, grandparents, aunts and uncles. After school, he joined the United States Merchant Marines and began traveling the world. Through a chance encounter while on leave on Memorial Day weekend in 1967, he met Bonnie in Fox Lake. They married three months later on August 19, 1967 and spent 50 years together before Bonnie’s death in 2017. They raised their family in McHenry Shores, Illinois on the Fox River, building a life filled with love, family, friends, and fun, including many big neighborhood and family parties. He especially enjoyed spending time boating the Chain O Lakes on their boat, the “Bon Bon”, with family and friends. After retiring from the Merchant Marines to spend more time with his wife and children, Rich worked many years as Chief Engineer at Hilton. Later, he and Bonnie entered the restaurant business by taking ownership of the Cullom Knoll in McHenry, Illinois until their retirement in 2000. After retirement, they moved to Cape Coral, Florida where they enjoyed 17 years of sunshine and boating and also became doting grandparents - and he became affectionately known as "Gaga". Rich was known as a strong, resilient, fun, and loving family man who always took care of his family first and was always ready to lend a helping hand to anyone else in need. Richard was preceded in death by Bonnie, his loving wife of 50 years, sister Mary Carol Panerali Bird, brothers Terry Bird and Bill Panerali, and parents Benedict (Ethel) Panerali and Mary(Frank) Suhi; He is survived by his children, Kristen Panerali, Karen Rae Panerali (Dave), Richard Panerali (Manda), and Sophia Swan (Brian); Sister Pat (John) Meyer, brother Gary (Shirly) Bird, sisters-in- law Judy Hunt and Linda Panerali; cousins who were like siblings, Larry Paneral and Shirly Cabri; grandchildren Vivi, Matthew, Peyton, Miles, and Christopher (Carolina); great grandchildren Caris and Cecilia; and many loving and devoted friends, nieces, nephews, sister in-laws and brother in-laws and cousins. A special thank you to St. Bonaventure Church in Davie, Florida for being a special part of his final years. “His Master replied, “Well done, good and faithful servant!....Come and share your master’s happiness” Matthew 25:23 A mass and celebration of life will be held in McHenry, IL in July, 2021.