William James Bonthron ’58

Jim, known to many of us as Bonny or Boom Boom, died of throat cancer on Apr. 7, 2002, in Ottawa. A diplomat, soldier, and actor, Jim transcended the boundary between the US and Canada.

Jim entered Princeton from St. Paul's School. At Princeton he majored in the special program in European civilization. A member of Tiger Inn, he was on the varsity track, hockey, and cross-country teams.

As an officer in the US Marine Corps, he served with the US Naval Mission to Haiti from 1959-61. He then joined the Black Watch Regiment in Montreal. His 30-year career with Canada's Dept. of External Affairs took him to Belgium, the Congo, South Africa, Czechoslovakia, Baghdad, NYC, Austria, and Minneapolis.

After retiring in 1993, Jim accompanied his wife in her own diplomatic assignments to Costa Rica and China, where his roles in a Chinese TV series and as Edgar Snow in the film Mao Zedong and Snow made him a familiar face on Chinese screens. He had a lifelong love for sailing, hockey, and skiing.

The class extends its deepest sympathy to Gilliane, his loving wife of 14 years, and his daughters, Alexandria, Catriona, and Fiona.

The Class of 1958