Andrew M. Bonnallie II

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the death of our father, Andrew M. Bonnallie II, 92, on April 14, 2026, after a prolonged illness. His mind was as sharp as a tack until the very end.

Drew was born in Fitchburg on August 15, 1933, the son of Andrew M. Sr. and Dorothy (Roberts) Bonnallie. He graduated from Lunenburg High School in 1951 and from UMass Amherst in 1956. Soon after graduation, “Andy”, as he was known at work, began his career as a salesman at what was originally Fitchburg Paper Company, and retired 43 years later in 1999.

Our father lived in Lunenburg for nearly his entire life. He grew up on Sunnyhill Road, and by the age of ten was grading eggs and driving tractors for his neighbors, Chester Mossman and Dr. Drumm. In 1958, Drew was introduced to our mother, Betty, by close friends Maricia and Ken. Our parents were married in 1960 and purchased the family home that same year on Brown Avenue, where our father lived for the next 66 years. Betty died in 2012. Together, our parents lived out their faith in that home, where they shared everything they had with family, friends, and neighbors. Over the years, more people lived in that home than just our nuclear family, including a student from Venezuela and those who needed a loving embrace.

Drew was a member of both Rollstone Congregational Church and Christ Episcopal Church. As a youth, he was active with DeMolay, part of the Masonic fraternity, and as an adult became a Freemason. He was active in Boy Scouts in the 1950s and 60s. Drew served as a member of the Lunenburg Music Aiders, helping the group to rewrite its bylaws. He also served on the Christ Church Vestry and applied his attention to detail on the property committee. For decades, Drew was heavily involved in Christian camping, serving on several camp committees, including Camps Wellville, Monomonac, and Bement. As a family, we enjoyed camping with travel trailers, sometimes with bikes placed upside-down on a rack on top of the car. Oh what fun we had!

For our father, six degrees of separation were only three. He loved to tell stories of how life used to be, but especially enjoyed the histories of people. His mind was a vast network that connected people by their family home, parents, siblings, children, neighbors, school, church, place of employment, and more. His encyclopedic memory could connect you with others across the decades. And if he couldn’t remember a name during a story, you were likely to receive a call a few hours later after the name popped into his head.

Left to carry on Drew’s legacy are:

His daughter Robin Fisher and her husband Eric of Midlothian, VA, and their children Danielle (Brent Bourgeois) of Salt Lake City, Brian of Midlothian, and their grandson Blaise Bourgeois.

And his son Paul Bonnallie and his wife Rosa Cruz of Shirley, MA, and their children Nestor Velazquez (Stephanie Newell) of Tennessee and Karla Cruz of Shirley, and their grandchildren Keilani Velazquez, Enzo Perez, Alaia Reeth, Samuel and Sophie Montemayor-Newell, and Gabriel Velazquez-Newell.

Drew also leaves two sisters, Judith Ahearn of Portland, ME, and Jane Starr (Thomas Trainor) of Grimesland, NC; his Godson, John Beardmore; several nieces and nephews; and his caregiver of many years, Kirsten DeFelice. He was predeceased by his Goddaughter, Linda Frazer.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, June 6, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Christ Episcopal Church, 569 Main St., Fitchburg, MA. Calling hours will be held at Brandon Funeral Home, 305 Wanoosnoc Rd, Fitchburg, on Friday, June 5, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Those desiring may make contributions to the Christ Church Memorial Fund.

Give to the departed eternal rest; Let light perpetual shine upon them. Amen.