Antonio "Tony" Bonanno, age 85, of Kewadin, Michigan, passed away peacefully after a long journey with Alzheimer's, surrounded by love.

Tony was born November 15, 1940, in Detroit, Michigan, to Santina and Sam Bonanno. He grew up in Dearborn and developed a lifelong appreciation for cars—especially Fords—as well as a deep admiration for the people and ingenuity behind them.

After graduating from Fordson High School, Tony joined the United States Air Force, training in Colorado as an Air Force firefighter. He served at George Air Force Base in California and also completed a tour at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, where he supported F-104 Starfighters during a flare-up of U.S./Soviet tensions in 1962.

After leaving the Air Force, Tony returned to Dearborn, retrained as an electrician, and began a long and proud career with Ford Motor Company, where he worked from 1963 until his retirement in 2006. He installed and maintained equipment throughout Ford's Rouge Plant, from the massive stamping machines in the Steel Division to the first robots installed on the Mustang assembly line. Tony had many friends at Ford and took great pride in the work, the teamwork, and the products they produced together over the decades.

Cars were more than a hobby for Tony—they were a passion and a way to connect with others. He loved Fords and Volkswagens, classic cars and forward-looking concepts alike. He especially cherished his 1969 Mustang Mach 1, a car he followed down the assembly line as it was being built and cared for ever after like a member of the family. Later in life, he owned and equally loved a 1957 Thunderbird, which had been his dream car as a teenager growing up in Dearborn.

In retirement, Tony and his wife Jeanne moved full-time to Elk Rapids in 2009, after decades of spending vacations, holidays, and long weekends at their cabin near Bellaire, Michigan. Northern Michigan quickly became home in every sense of the word. He loved Antrim County, Torch Lake, the surrounding forests and water systems, and the quiet beauty of life "Up North." He loved a quiet walk in the woods as much as snowmobiling around Bellaire and Torch Lake—embracing winter as much as summer.

A year-round resident in a town of many seasonal neighbors, Tony became deeply connected to the community. He made friends easily, got to know his neighbors well, and was an active and enthusiastic member of the Cruisin' Pirates Car Club, where his love of cars and his love of people came together naturally.

Those who knew Tony remember him as a great listener—someone who gave you his full attention. He delighted in other people's stories, whether that meant sharing a laugh, offering empathy during difficult moments, or leaning in with unmistakable enthusiasm when the conversation turned to cars. Engines, design, maintenance tips, car shows, and the stories behind classic vehicles—he loved it all, and he loved learning from others just as much as sharing what he knew.

Above all, Tony was devoted to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife Jeanne Bonanno; his son Michael Bonanno and daughter-in-law Amishi Jha; his grandchildren Leo and Sophia, who brought him immense pride and joy; and his sisters Marilyn and Kathleen, and their families.

Though dementia gradually changed the final chapter of his life, it did not erase the man he was, the love he gave, or the many connections he formed over a lifetime. Tony will be remembered for his curiosity, his kindness, and his deep love of Northern Michigan.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM, Friday, January 2, 2026, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 143 Charles Street, Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629, with the Rev. Christopher Jarvis celebrant.  Visitation will be held from 10:00 until time of Mass.  A luncheon will follow in the Sacred Heart Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Tony's favorite charities: the Wounded Warrior Project (https://support.woundedwarriorproject.org/ ) or Antrim County's Grass River Natural Area (https://www.grassriver.org/donate-today.html).

Beacon Cremation & Funeral Service, Covell-Traverse City Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

www.beaconfh.com