Keith Bonham MBE

Guardians were amongst a great many in Bristol and beyond who were saddened to learn that Past Master Keith Bonham passed away on 28th January. Keith had been unwell in recent years but had continued to make his presence felt and had attended functions and events when he felt able.

Keith was appointed MBE by the late Queen for his charitable work and services to the wider Bristol community. He became Deputy Lord Lieutenant of Bristol, assisting the Lord Lieutenant in representing the Monarch locally.

Keith fulfilled so many roles in the Bristol area, listing them is a challenge. In business life he was, of course, managing partner of Ernst & Young and President of local accountancy professional organisations. Out of the world of work and in addition to his time with the Guild of Guardians (Master 1994/5) he fulfilled roles with St Peter’s Hospice, Clifton Rotary Club, Manor Farm Boys Club, the Dolphin Society and many others. Perhaps his longest standing commitment was as Treasurer of Clifton Rugby Club, a remarkable 49 years. His time with the club included a distinguished playing career in part as Captain of the “A” XV.

A full life well led...

Keith’s fund raising activities included running the London Marathon (to mark his 70th birthday) and cycling from Lands End to John O’Groats. A vivid and recent personal memory is of Keith doings laps of several roads in Stoke Bishop during Covid over several months, to raise money for health related charities. On the last lap he was preceded by a bagpiper and cheered on by neighbours who lined the streets.

A service of thanksgiving will be held at St Peters, Henleaze on Monday 7th April, at 11.30am. See R.Davies & Son, Funeral Directors for further details.

https://www.dignityfunerals.co.uk/funeral-notices/28-01-2025-keith-bonham/

Tributes from Guardians

I was lucky to meet Keith through the Guild of Guardians and he was personally so welcoming to me. He took such a genuinely great interest in people, and through his warm and caring personality, he touched so many lives with such an obvious natural humility. I feel honoured to have met Keith. Thank you.

Simon Quinn

It is very sad news as Keith was a huge presence in the Bristol business and charity world for the whole of his professional career. Keith was the rock of so many organisations many of which I became involved with because of his influence and guidance. He set a standard of honesty and decency which was unmatched by anyone else I have worked with and his commitment to the causes he supported was unrivalled.

It is indeed a very sad day for Bristol and all his friends and colleagues who will miss him greatly both for his vast knowledge but also for his human compassion and kindness. In my view he was a very special and unique person.

John Hollingdale

A great loss of an outstanding Gentleman and family man. Keith was an excellent and committed member of the Guild of Guardians together with his long active service and fund raising for many local charities and organisations including St Peter’s Hospice, Clifton Rugby Club (where he also played for their Wanderers ) Red Maids School, Clifton Rotary Club, Deputy Lieutenant for the City of Bristol and on the Boards of a number of local businesses.

He was, before his retirement, managing partner of Ernst and Young's Bristol office.

He was a great friend, kind, humorous, personable, a runner, interested in what you were doing, and gave his full support and commitment to any organisation that he was involved in throughout his life and of course always actively supported by his dear wife Gill.

For the G of G he made sure of greeting new members and their partners and making them feel most welcome in the Guild.

He will be greatly missed by his family and very many friends.

Dr. Norman M Biddle FRICS, MAACE (USA) Hon RWA

My memories of Keith – he is the reason I joined the Guild of Guardians, a truly noble gentleman who had charity and supporting causes in his soul.

My husband Brian worked for him as the Financial Controller at The British Empire and Commonwealth Museum around 2004, so I must have met him around the same time.

Keith was wonderful in getting everyone to support different charitable causes and through him, one of our first places to support was a Girl Guide hut that was being newly constructed, we sponsored a brick which we could individually name – so we named it ‘this is a brick’. From that moment on, Keith knew we were hooked and that we would support him always.

He was such a warm, friendly, supportive person, he loved his family, outdoors, cycling and Bristol was in his DNA. We will really miss him.

Vanessa Moon

Keith Bonham was a true gentleman. A big man both in stature and in heart. He was senior partner of my firm in Bristol when I first met him and he went out of his way to help me find my feet in what was for me a new business community. Indeed, he helped anyone who needed help and made sure to follow up and check all was well. In his professional life his clients and his staff held him in high regard. The garden parties for staff that he organised with his wife Gill were a regular feature in the calendar. Away from office life he was well known for his prowess on the rugby pitch and also for contending in marathons long after others would have sought a quieter life. He loved being a part of Bristol life in all its aspects and was heavily involved with many charities. Even when he retired his desire to see the Guardians flourish never waned and we owe our gratitude to him for his dedication.

Cedric Clapp