Joseph BONADIES

9 MAR 1916 - 13 FEB 1992

• BIRTH: 9 MAR 1916
• DEATH: 13 FEB 1992, South Bend, St Joseph, IN

1.  Christopher Joseph BONADIES

INDEX

[N27824] Social Security Death Index

Joseph T BonadiesBirth
Birth Date: 9 Mar 1916
Death Date:13 Feb 1992
Last Residence: South Bend, IN

Joseph Bonadies

Joe became the first Saint Mary's College gardener in 1954. Former President Sister Madeleva hired him. Joe worked from 1954-1991 until he retired. Sister Madeleva had a vision and she hired him to realize her vision for the campus landscape. She considered the campus an outdoor classroom and arboretum for scientific learning and aesthetic enjoyment. Joe used his knowledge to honor her tradition of landscaping, horticulture, and gardening. Joe shared Sister Madeleva's vision to feature naturally growing plant materials including some that are not necessarily native to this area, but which grow well here and to offer a diversity of plant material. He passed away in 1992 and a rock garden, the Bonadies Rock Garden, was named after him.

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Had a lovely email conversation with Margaret Bonadies Blonigan '81 earlier this morning. She wrote: "I am the daughter of Joseph “Joe” Bonadies, former head of the grounds department and Master Gardener at Saint Mary’s for many years. There is a fountain dedicated to his memory and service at the Rock Garden by the lake. I grew up helping my father to water the plants at the SMC greenhouse…especially if the biology students were propagating plants for experiments! I am Class of ’81 and have lived abroad most of my adult life, but my roots are in South Bend and at Saint Mary’s College! Sister Madeleva hired my father to work as the head grounds keeper back in the '50’s…our family has a long history with Saint Mary’s." #legacy #BellesGiveBack