March 15, 1940 — August 9, 2023
Carl David Bondinell, “Carlo,” age 83, died on Aug. 9, 2023, in the comfort care ward of Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center in Medford. His family held his hands as he quietly stopped breathing.
He was born in Passaic, New Jersey, on March 15, 1940, the middle child of wonderful parents Emil Bondinell and Hildur Swanstrum Bondinell. Carlo participated in many sports because his father was the director of recreation in their town. His lifetime favorite sport was baseball.
He attended Upsala College, Rutgers University, and the University of Illinois, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in history. In 1964, he moved to Berkeley, California, to study Japanese at the University of California.
He moved to Ashland in 1976. He went to work for more than 20 years as a food server at Geppetto’s Restaurant where he became good friends with both his co-workers and patrons. In his spare time, he wrote short stories and screenplays. He took a break from his work at the restaurant to study psychology, receiving a master’s degree at Oregon State University.
In 1998 he met Ruth Harvey. They were married and he became the loving step-father to her two children, guiding them through their teen-age years and early adulthood. In 2000, he joined Ruth in caring for infants and toddlers in their in-home child care facility. For 20 years, they enjoyed caring for little ones together. He loved the children, and they helped to keep him youthful. When Carlo finally retired, he was almost 80.
He is survived by his wife, Ruth; his step-children, Gregory Harvey and Kristina Harvey Smith; son-in-law, Jeffrey Smith; and beloved grandson, Logan; and his, sister, Carol (Jake) in New Jersey and brother, Paul Bondinell (Stephanie) in Florida; and 15 nieces and nephews.
He had a green burial at Scenic Hills Cemetery arranged by Litwiller-Simonsen Funeral Home on Aug. 10, 2023.
He brought compassion, gentle humor, and loving kindness to all the lives he touched, and his memory will always be cherished.
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