Honoring the rich life and loving memory of Philip E. "Knute" Bonner.

WHEREAS, Philip E. “Knute” Bonner was the kind of American that epitomized the term “the Greatest Generation.” He was a decorated World War II veteran, Bronze Star and Purple Heart recipient, Philadelphia police officer, lifelong Philadelphian, and a joy to everyone he met; and

WHEREAS, Bonner was known widely as fun-loving and extremely good-hearted. Generous with his time and material possessions, he quietly led by example. Bonner was known as the type of person to literally give the coat off his back to homeless people in the streets; and

WHEREAS, Bonner was born in Philadelphia to Joseph and Bertha Bonner. He attended West Catholic and John Bartram high schools; and

WHEREAS, After signing up to serve his country as a teenager during the height of the European Theater of World War II, Bonner's outfit, landed at Utah Beach in Normandy a month after D-Day, fought in the Battle of the Bulge in the forests of Belgium, and liberated Nazi concentration camps, including Buchenwald in Germany; and

WHEREAS, Bonner, who became a Philadelphia police officer after the war and later worked for the Pennsylvania Auditor General's Office, was a proud Irishman whose tenor voice was in-demand for shows, weddings and other events; and

WHEREAS, As a police officer from 1956 to 1966, Bonner was assigned as a patrol officer to various districts, including 17th Street and Montgomery Avenue. He suffered injuries on patrol, including a broken index finger that was permanently bent over his middle finger after he put his fist through a plaster wall while trying to punch a suspect; and

WHEREAS, Bonner and his Southwest St. Patrick's Club were regular participants in the City's annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. In 2001, he was grand marshal and dedicated the parade to the memory of Joe Collins; and

WHEREAS, Bonner's Irish tenor, as well as his banjo, was heard at the variety shows put on at churches and other venues by the Southwest St. Patrick's Club. His wife, the former Patricia Noone, whom he married in 1964, also sang in the shows; and

WHEREAS, Bonner recently passed away at age 87 and is a loss to countless souls. Besides his wife, he is survived by four daughters, Mary Beth Ryan, Erin Hudyma, Bridget Pot and Deirdre Hines; three sons, Philip Bonner Jr., Sean K. and Seamus, and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by another son, Patrick Bonner; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That Council does hereby recognize, honor, and memorialize the rich life of Philip 'Knute' Bonner for his lifelong commitment to the service to our country and city. May the next generation of Philadelphians honor his legacy by following in his patriotic and charitable footsteps.

FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the surviving family of Philip E. 'Knute' Bonner as evidence of the sincere sentiments of this legislative body.

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