James E. Bonsky

James E. Bonsky

Age 63, of Massillon, passed away Friday Feb. 9, 2018.  He was born April 26, 1954 in Canton, a son of the late Gene and Patricia (Henderson) Bonsky, and was a life resident of this area.  Jim was a 1972 graduate of McKinley High School and attended Johnson Bible College in Knoxville, TN.  He has been employed from 1974 until the present time at Republic Steel Corp., also known as Republic Engineered Steel, Inc. (RESI), Republic Technologies International (RTI), and currently Republic Engineered Products (REP).  In addition to working Jim has been extremely active in the United Steel Workers Union as follows: joined USWA Local #1200 in 1974; 1988-1990 as shop Steward; 1991-1997 and 2000-2012 as Grievance Committeeman; 2012-2015 as Chairman of the Grievance Committee; 1994 to present on Executive Board of USW Local #1200; 1999-2000 as Financial Secretary of USW Local #1200; 2002-2006 as Recording Secretary of Local #1200; 2010-2015 as Financial Secretary of USW Local #1200.  He served on various committees in the Union including: Incentive, Job Evaluation, Employee Assistance, Contracting Out, Joint Labor Management, and Joint Safety Worker Compensation.  When RESI was an ESOP he was involved with the Joint Drug and Alcohol Committee which developed the Corporate Drug and Alcohol Policy for RESI.  Under RESI he was on the Plant H-1 Committee, involved with Quality Team Projects involving departments of his Grievance Zone, and involved with Functional Analysis and Target 60 projects.  From 1989 to present he was a delegate of CLC AFL-CIO (formerly known as the Greater Stark County AFL-CIO); 1999-2000 was a Trustee for Hall OF Fame CLC AFL-CIO and 2000 to present was Secretary-Treasurer for them; and 2010 to present was Recording Secretary/Treasurer for the Northeast Ohio Area Labor Federation AFL-CIO; Jim participated in the Union Counselor Program for AFL-CIO for many years.  In 1993-1994, 1996-1998, and 2005, he worked full time as a Labor Liaison (Central Labor Council AFL-CIO) for the fall (Aug.-Nov.) fund raising campaign of the United Way of Central Stark County.  Jim was a 2010 graduate of the AFL-CIO National Leadership Institute, National Labor College, in Silver Springs, MD.  In 1981 Jim started with Boy Scouts of America Troup 117. He became a Scout Master from 1985-1989.  He was an avid participant in Cub Scouts, through Boy Scouts, and received Life Scout and Fifth Year Pipestone.  Jim is survived by his wife, Jeanette K. Bonsky, with whom he celebrated their 42nd Wedding Anniversary on August 2nd; one daughter and one son, Kassandra Eileen (Caleb) Jacob, and Andrew Jaymes Bonsky; one sister, Kathy (Gary) Bonsky-Heckman; one brother, Steven Bonsky; numerous nieces and nephews including Michael Bonsky, Becky Heckman, and MaryPat Heckman; and several great-nieces and great-nephews. Services will be held Wed. at 10:30 a.m. in the Formet-Clevenger & Gordon Funeral Home with Andrew Berg and Jason Lantz officiating.  Interment will be in Melscheimer Cemetery.  Friends may call Tuesday 6-8 p.m. and Wed. 9:30-10:30 a.m. before the service.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in Jim’s memory may be made to the Boy Scouts of America or the United Way of Central Stark County.  Condolences may be sent to: www.gordonfuneralhomes.com

Gordon (330) 456-4766

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