Stanley F. (Pete) Bonk, Jr, of Grantham, New Hampshire, 75 years of age, and a loving and selfless father, passed away after a brief illness on the morning of August 21st, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, surrounded by loving family and friends. He was born on February 13th, 1951 in Franklin, New Hampshire.

Pete was a loving and devoted father, a loyal and caring friend, and a selfless and supportive brother and uncle. Everyone in his life, friends and family alike, could turn to him when in need and he would always be there. He was the type of person who would stop at all hours of the day or night to help a stranded traveler, who would break into someone’s house in the dead of night to warn them that their house was on fire, who would hurry off at all hours of the day and night to help a friend in need.

Pete was a lifelong reader. Rarely did he go anywhere without a book or two stashed away in his car to sit and read whenever the moment arose. At any one time he might be immersed in half a dozen different books at once, and despite a to read list a mile long, he was always happy for more books to read and share with friends.

Those who knew him best know that the two most important things in his life were his son Otto and a good meal. It was not unusual to see Pete and Otto make a two or three hour trip just for some good fried clams or breakfast at their favorite restaurant, even if it was two states away. Pete would not hesitate to drive through the night to pick his so up from a rains stations hours from home, or to stay on the phone with him through the wee hours of the night when he was stranded with a broken down car on the other side of the country.

Pete made friends easily, more than once traveling across the country to visit people he had met only in passing at work or in some other travel, staying in touch for years with people who were a tiny part of his life decades before. His warmth, kindness, and open sincerity left a mark on many people, something that those who were lucky enough to know him will not soon forget.

Pete is survived by his son Otto, his brother Herbert, his sisters Patricia and Mary, his partner Katie, nephews Joshua, Trevor, Trenton, and Hunter, niece Molly, and many, many other family and friends who will miss him dearly.

He was predeceased by his parents Stanley F, and Lucille Bonk Sr, and his sisters Wanda and Linda.

His family would like to thank the doctors and nurses of Dartmouth Hitchcock’s cardiac units, for their heroic efforts to save his life in the days preceding his death. Their efforts allowed friends and family to be able to say goodbye and to be at his side when his passed.

His loss is too sudden and emotional to adequately describe in words to those who were lucky enough to know him.

A memorial service / celebration of life will be held in the Grantham Town Hall on the 15th of November, at 1:00 pm. Friends and Family are welcome and encouraged to attend, and share their memories of Pete.