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Bonifacio Contreras passed away suddenly at his home on July 31, 2006. He was born on May 14, 1943 in Belen, NM to Maximiliano and Rosa Contreras and grew up in Albuquerque's south valley, graduating from Rio Grande High School in 1962. Bon was a natural athlete participating as a star Quarterback during High School and winning a Baseball scholarship to UNM. Bon attended both UNM and Arizona State University and graduated with degrees in Linguistics and related fields. After serving in the US Army from which he was honorably discharged, he continued his studies, living abroad for five more years and was awarded a prestigious Fulbright Scholarship. He traveled extensively Europe, specifically in Macedonia, Yugoslavia and Mexico. It has been said of Bon that he made friends easily. He was an enormously giving and charismatic man. His circle of friends, colleagues and acquaintances was enormous and varied. He could strike up a conversation with a stranger at a coffee shop or address a large class, both equally captivated by his enthusiasm and passion. Bonifacio returned to the United States and followed his passion for education and languages. He was an internationally respected educator, author and publisher. He was founder and president of Educational News Service. He wrote and co-wrote many articles, books and instructional texts, most recently the Salud series specializing in Spanish/English education for those in the fields of education and public health. Bon's dear parents preceded him in death; his sister, Carmen Garcia and her husband, Paul; his brother, Maximiliano Contreras II and wife, Anne; his brother, Robert Contreras and wife, Ruth, all of New Mexico, survive him. Also surviving are many cousins, nieces, and nephews, including his namesake, Bonnie Sophia Rea and husband, Dodge of Nashville, Rose Marie, Juan, Donna, and Ronald, Maria, Pablo, and Vivien, Ben and wife, Jill, John, Maximiliano III, and Rosa, all of New Mexico. Private Services were held in Contreras, NM where Bonifacio was remembered with much love, admiration, and sorrow at his passing.
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