Malcolm Weston Bonawits, 71, of Boca Raton, Fla., and Pocono Manor, Pa., passed away peacefully on Dec. 22, 2017, of complications from mantle cell lymphoma, surrounded by his family. He was the founder of the Malcolm's Haircutters chain of hair salons that has been in continuous operation for 41 years in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and raised in Plymouth, Pa., Malcolm was a proud veteran, having enlisted after graduation from Plymouth High School and serving in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief on C-130 airplanes during the Vietnam conflict. After receiving his honorable discharge, he attended East Stroudsburg University and Stroudsburg School of Cosmetology, and upon graduation from the latter in 1976, he started his company, opening his first salon as owner-operator in Mount Pocono that same year.
After 12 years as an active hairstylist, he decided to dedicate all his time to running and growing the company, which he did until his untimely passing. Malcolm had a lifelong interest in politics and civic affairs, and strongly believed in being involved in his community. At the local level, he served on the Mount Pocono Municipal Authority for five years, on the Mount Pocono Planning Commission for five years and on the Pocono Township Zoning Board for 22 years, 20 of them as chairman. At the state level, he served two three-year terms on the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology as a professional member.
In 1991, he became involved in the beauty industry on a national level. As co-chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the International Chain Salons Associations (ICSA, now ISBN) for 13 years, he worked with legislators at both the state and national levels on behalf of the beauty salon industry. He also recognized the importance of beauty schools and continuing education, and in 1993 joined other beauty industry leaders on the Advisory Council on Cosmetology Relations in Education (ACCRED) in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, he was elected by beauty schools nationwide to the board of the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), and served on several committees within that organization, including the Government Relations and Finance committees. The Professional Beauty Federation (PBA) led him to once again interact with legislators and government officials to further the interests of his industry.
Malcolm received several honors during his long career, among them induction into the Hall of Fame of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA), the Role Model in the Cosmetology Industry recognition from the Cosmetology Advancement Foundation, a nomination for the Salon Entrepreneur of the Year - Global Salon Business award, and a "Bizzy" award from the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce. But his proudest accomplishment was always his company, which he led successfully for the past 41 years. A testament to his abilities and his gift for people are the many stylists who 10, 20, and almost 30 years after they started remain with the company and consider him a beloved and admired father figure and mentor.
Malcolm was an athlete in his high school years, having run track, played football and boxed, and remained a passionate sports fan throughout his life. He was an owner of the Scranton Eagles semi-professional football team during 1990 and 1991, and was very proud of the fact that the team won national championships both years. In later years, he was also an avid golfer. He was a beloved and loving husband, brother, uncle and nephew.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; his uncle, Alfred Weston (JoAnn); brother, David Bonawits (Sandy); his sisters, Gail Jones (Tom), Elizabeth Seaforth (Robert), and Jane Jones (Joel); and his cousins, nieces, and nephews, Lisa McGee, Daisha Medvetz, Joel Carson Jones, Adam Jones, Amy Spitler, Karen McDaniel, David Bonawits Jr., Megan Griffith, Laura Bonawits, Matthew Bonawits, Robert Seaforth Jr., Christopher Schall and Dayna Chapin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Rosina, and by his sister, Susan Bonawits Pockevich.
In addition to his many accomplishments, business acumen, and political savvy, he will be remembered for his love of family, his loyalty to his friends, and his passion for animals, especially for his beloved Basset hounds.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in his memory to the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM), 3129 Godfrey Ridge Rd., Stroudsburg PA 18360, or to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, 361 Cherry St., Stroudsburg PA 18360. A memorial service is planned for April.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and raised in Plymouth, Pa., Malcolm was a proud veteran, having enlisted after graduation from Plymouth High School and serving in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief on C-130 airplanes during the Vietnam conflict. After receiving his honorable discharge, he attended East Stroudsburg University and Stroudsburg School of Cosmetology, and upon graduation from the latter in 1976, he started his company, opening his first salon as owner-operator in Mount Pocono that same year.
After 12 years as an active hairstylist, he decided to dedicate all his time to running and growing the company, which he did until his untimely passing. Malcolm had a lifelong interest in politics and civic affairs, and strongly believed in being involved in his community. At the local level, he served on the Mount Pocono Municipal Authority for five years, on the Mount Pocono Planning Commission for five years and on the Pocono Township Zoning Board for 22 years, 20 of them as chairman. At the state level, he served two three-year terms on the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology as a professional member.
In 1991, he became involved in the beauty industry on a national level. As co-chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the International Chain Salons Associations (ICSA, now ISBN) for 13 years, he worked with legislators at both the state and national levels on behalf of the beauty salon industry. He also recognized the importance of beauty schools and continuing education, and in 1993 joined other beauty industry leaders on the Advisory Council on Cosmetology Relations in Education (ACCRED) in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, he was elected by beauty schools nationwide to the board of the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), and served on several committees within that organization, including the Government Relations and Finance committees. The Professional Beauty Federation (PBA) led him to once again interact with legislators and government officials to further the interests of his industry.
Malcolm received several honors during his long career, among them induction into the Hall of Fame of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA), the Role Model in the Cosmetology Industry recognition from the Cosmetology Advancement Foundation, a nomination for the Salon Entrepreneur of the Year - Global Salon Business award, and a "Bizzy" award from the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce. But his proudest accomplishment was always his company, which he led successfully for the past 41 years. A testament to his abilities and his gift for people are the many stylists who 10, 20, and almost 30 years after they started remain with the company and consider him a beloved and admired father figure and mentor.
Malcolm was an athlete in his high school years, having run track, played football and boxed, and remained a passionate sports fan throughout his life. He was an owner of the Scranton Eagles semi-professional football team during 1990 and 1991, and was very proud of the fact that the team won national championships both years. In later years, he was also an avid golfer. He was a beloved and loving husband, brother, uncle and nephew.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; his uncle, Alfred Weston (JoAnn); brother, David Bonawits (Sandy); his sisters, Gail Jones (Tom), Elizabeth Seaforth (Robert), and Jane Jones (Joel); and his cousins, nieces, and nephews, Lisa McGee, Daisha Medvetz, Joel Carson Jones, Adam Jones, Amy Spitler, Karen McDaniel, David Bonawits Jr., Megan Griffith, Laura Bonawits, Matthew Bonawits, Robert Seaforth Jr., Christopher Schall and Dayna Chapin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Rosina, and by his sister, Susan Bonawits Pockevich.
In addition to his many accomplishments, business acumen, and political savvy, he will be remembered for his love of family, his loyalty to his friends, and his passion for animals, especially for his beloved Basset hounds.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in his memory to the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM), 3129 Godfrey Ridge Rd., Stroudsburg PA 18360, or to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, 361 Cherry St., Stroudsburg PA 18360. A memorial service is planned for April.
Malcolm Weston Bonawits, 71, of Boca Raton, Fla., and Pocono Manor, Pa., passed away peacefully on Dec. 22, 2017, of complications from mantle cell lymphoma, surrounded by his family. He was the founder of the Malcolm's Haircutters chain of hair salons that has been in continuous operation for 41 years in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and raised in Plymouth, Pa., Malcolm was a proud veteran, having enlisted after graduation from Plymouth High School and serving in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief on C-130 airplanes during the Vietnam conflict. After receiving his honorable discharge, he attended East Stroudsburg University and Stroudsburg School of Cosmetology, and upon graduation from the latter in 1976, he started his company, opening his first salon as owner-operator in Mount Pocono that same year.
After 12 years as an active hairstylist, he decided to dedicate all his time to running and growing the company, which he did until his untimely passing. Malcolm had a lifelong interest in politics and civic affairs, and strongly believed in being involved in his community. At the local level, he served on the Mount Pocono Municipal Authority for five years, on the Mount Pocono Planning Commission for five years and on the Pocono Township Zoning Board for 22 years, 20 of them as chairman. At the state level, he served two three-year terms on the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology as a professional member.
In 1991, he became involved in the beauty industry on a national level. As co-chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the International Chain Salons Associations (ICSA, now ISBN) for 13 years, he worked with legislators at both the state and national levels on behalf of the beauty salon industry. He also recognized the importance of beauty schools and continuing education, and in 1993 joined other beauty industry leaders on the Advisory Council on Cosmetology Relations in Education (ACCRED) in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, he was elected by beauty schools nationwide to the board of the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), and served on several committees within that organization, including the Government Relations and Finance committees. The Professional Beauty Federation (PBA) led him to once again interact with legislators and government officials to further the interests of his industry.
Malcolm received several honors during his long career, among them induction into the Hall of Fame of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA), the Role Model in the Cosmetology Industry recognition from the Cosmetology Advancement Foundation, a nomination for the Salon Entrepreneur of the Year - Global Salon Business award, and a "Bizzy" award from the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce. But his proudest accomplishment was always his company, which he led successfully for the past 41 years. A testament to his abilities and his gift for people are the many stylists who 10, 20, and almost 30 years after they started remain with the company and consider him a beloved and admired father figure and mentor.
Malcolm was an athlete in his high school years, having run track, played football and boxed, and remained a passionate sports fan throughout his life. He was an owner of the Scranton Eagles semi-professional football team during 1990 and 1991, and was very proud of the fact that the team won national championships both years. In later years, he was also an avid golfer. He was a beloved and loving husband, brother, uncle and nephew.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; his uncle, Alfred Weston (JoAnn); brother, David Bonawits (Sandy); his sisters, Gail Jones (Tom), Elizabeth Seaforth (Robert), and Jane Jones (Joel); and his cousins, nieces, and nephews, Lisa McGee, Daisha Medvetz, Joel Carson Jones, Adam Jones, Amy Spitler, Karen McDaniel, David Bonawits Jr., Megan Griffith, Laura Bonawits, Matthew Bonawits, Robert Seaforth Jr., Christopher Schall and Dayna Chapin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Rosina, and by his sister, Susan Bonawits Pockevich.
In addition to his many accomplishments, business acumen, and political savvy, he will be remembered for his love of family, his loyalty to his friends, and his passion for animals, especially for his beloved Basset hounds.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in his memory to the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM), 3129 Godfrey Ridge Rd., Stroudsburg PA 18360, or to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, 361 Cherry St., Stroudsburg PA 18360. A memorial service is planned for April.
Born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and raised in Plymouth, Pa., Malcolm was a proud veteran, having enlisted after graduation from Plymouth High School and serving in the U.S. Air Force as a crew chief on C-130 airplanes during the Vietnam conflict. After receiving his honorable discharge, he attended East Stroudsburg University and Stroudsburg School of Cosmetology, and upon graduation from the latter in 1976, he started his company, opening his first salon as owner-operator in Mount Pocono that same year.
After 12 years as an active hairstylist, he decided to dedicate all his time to running and growing the company, which he did until his untimely passing. Malcolm had a lifelong interest in politics and civic affairs, and strongly believed in being involved in his community. At the local level, he served on the Mount Pocono Municipal Authority for five years, on the Mount Pocono Planning Commission for five years and on the Pocono Township Zoning Board for 22 years, 20 of them as chairman. At the state level, he served two three-year terms on the Pennsylvania State Board of Cosmetology as a professional member.
In 1991, he became involved in the beauty industry on a national level. As co-chairman of the Government Relations Committee of the International Chain Salons Associations (ICSA, now ISBN) for 13 years, he worked with legislators at both the state and national levels on behalf of the beauty salon industry. He also recognized the importance of beauty schools and continuing education, and in 1993 joined other beauty industry leaders on the Advisory Council on Cosmetology Relations in Education (ACCRED) in Washington, D.C.
In 2003, he was elected by beauty schools nationwide to the board of the National Accrediting Commission of Cosmetology Arts and Sciences (NACCAS), and served on several committees within that organization, including the Government Relations and Finance committees. The Professional Beauty Federation (PBA) led him to once again interact with legislators and government officials to further the interests of his industry.
Malcolm received several honors during his long career, among them induction into the Hall of Fame of the Pennsylvania Association of Private School Administrators (PAPSA), the Role Model in the Cosmetology Industry recognition from the Cosmetology Advancement Foundation, a nomination for the Salon Entrepreneur of the Year - Global Salon Business award, and a "Bizzy" award from the Pocono Mountains Chamber of Commerce. But his proudest accomplishment was always his company, which he led successfully for the past 41 years. A testament to his abilities and his gift for people are the many stylists who 10, 20, and almost 30 years after they started remain with the company and consider him a beloved and admired father figure and mentor.
Malcolm was an athlete in his high school years, having run track, played football and boxed, and remained a passionate sports fan throughout his life. He was an owner of the Scranton Eagles semi-professional football team during 1990 and 1991, and was very proud of the fact that the team won national championships both years. In later years, he was also an avid golfer. He was a beloved and loving husband, brother, uncle and nephew.
He is survived by his wife, Maria; his uncle, Alfred Weston (JoAnn); brother, David Bonawits (Sandy); his sisters, Gail Jones (Tom), Elizabeth Seaforth (Robert), and Jane Jones (Joel); and his cousins, nieces, and nephews, Lisa McGee, Daisha Medvetz, Joel Carson Jones, Adam Jones, Amy Spitler, Karen McDaniel, David Bonawits Jr., Megan Griffith, Laura Bonawits, Matthew Bonawits, Robert Seaforth Jr., Christopher Schall and Dayna Chapin.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Malcolm and Rosina, and by his sister, Susan Bonawits Pockevich.
In addition to his many accomplishments, business acumen, and political savvy, he will be remembered for his love of family, his loyalty to his friends, and his passion for animals, especially for his beloved Basset hounds.
In lieu of flowers, charitable contributions may be made in his memory to the Animal Welfare Society of Monroe (AWSOM), 3129 Godfrey Ridge Rd., Stroudsburg PA 18360, or to the Pocono Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Center, 361 Cherry St., Stroudsburg PA 18360. A memorial service is planned for April.
