Nicholas Bonafas

Nicholas Bonafas, 86, of Middletown died Friday, December 4, 2015 at Rhode Island Hospital of Providence, RI. Nicholas was born November 8, 1929 in Steubenville, OH. He is the son of the late of Dimitrios and Melpomeni (Atsali) Bonafatsos. He was the loving husband of Diane (Gianakellis) Bonafas. While still very young, he and his parents returned to Chios where he was raised. He returned to the United States as a young man, where he graduated from high school and then served in the US Air Force as a mechanic. He eventually opened the Crown Bar and Grill, and subsequently worked for the City of Newport at the Newport Public Library.He and his wife Diane raised their beloved niece Melpomeni (Meni) from a small child through her graduation from Middletown High School, after which she returned to Greece and became a teacher at the Merchant Marine Academy of Oinoussis. He was an avid gardener and he and his wife enjoyed spending countless days every summer at First Beach. He had especially fond memories of the beach since this is where he first met his beloved wife. He and his wife enjoyed vacationing in Chios and spending time with family there many, many times over the years.He is survived by his wife of 53 years: Diane (Gianakellis) Bonafas of Middletown ; his sister: Despina (Nikolaos) Delaveris of Chios, Greece; niece, Melpomeni (Meni) Karantagli and her husband Theophanis (of Chios and Oinoussis), nephew, Constantine (Anna) Delaveris; nephew, Dimitrios (Maria) Delaveris; all of Chios, Greece; Sister In Law, Catherine Violet; Sister In Law, Artemis Adamedes; and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews both here and in Chios.He was predeceased by his brother and sister in law, Wally and Mary Whittle, his brother in law, Basil Gianakellis, his brother-in law Jim Violet and his cousin, Paul Cotsoridis.His funeral will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 15, 2015, at St Spyridon Greek Orthodox Church, Thames Street, Newport. His burial will follow in the Middletown "Four Corners" Cemetery.Calling hours will be Tuesday, December 15, 2015, from 10:30 - 11:00 AM, before his service at St. Spyridon.In lieu of flowers, memorials donations may be made to St. Spyridons Greek Orthodox Church, P.O. Box 427, Newport, RI 02840. The family would like to thank Fr. George Economou for his steadfast love and support during this trying time. Cemetery Details Middletown Four Corners Cemetery Turner and Wyatt Roads Middletown, RI, 02842 Visitation DEC 15. 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM St. Spyridon Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US Service DEC 15. 11:00 AM St. Spyridon Church 390 Thames Street Newport, RI, US