Sandra K. Bongini

Sandra K. Bongini, age 63, of Dover, died Friday afternoon, March 17, 2006 in Parma Community General Hospital. Well known for her support of Central Catholic Athletics, Sandra lead the Saints as head coach of the Ladies Volleyball team for the past 17 seasons. During her tenure, she amassed more than 250 victories, was named the Inter-Valley Conference Coach of the Year five times, and led the ladies squad to many sectional, conference and tournament victories. During the “off season” Coach Bongini directed 13 regional teams in Junior Olympic Volleyball. A natural athlete, Sandra participated in tennis while attending the former St. Joseph High School at Dover. Her interests spread to Golf and she quickly gained notoriety by taking honors at various golf tournaments throughout the state. Ultimately, volleyball would become her favorite pastime, and as her daughter began playing at St. Joseph in grade school, Sandra began her coaching career by leading the St. Joseph squad for two years before assuming her head coaching duties that she held at Central Catholic until her death. In addition to her busy role at Central Catholic, Sandra was a member of St. Joseph Parrish at Dover. She also kept busy as the owner and operator of S&M Recycling at New Philadelphia, a company she founded with her son in 1981. Born at Dennison on September 7, 1942, Sandra was the only child of Leonard and Mary Martini Huff, who survive and reside at Dover. Sandra reared a son and daughter. Her son, Steve Bongini, now resides at Miami Beach, Florida, and is engaged to Ileana Cruz. Her daughter, Stacy Bongini, resides at Willoughby and is engaged to Tim Sepelak. Sandra’s close friend, Lynn Beitzel of New Philadelphia, as well as an extensive family from her coaching career, also survives. In August, 1965, Sandra married Eugene Thomas Bongini and they spent twelve years together until his death in March, 1978. Her aunt, Anna Dellago, also preceded Sandra in death. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 21, from 2PM-4PM and 7PM-9PM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Christian wake services will commence at 8:45. Father Bill Arnold will celebrate a Mass of Christian Burial Wednesday morning at 10:30 AM in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Family and close friends will gather at the funeral home by 10 AM in time for prayers prior to processing to the church for Mass. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery at New Philadelphia. Following the committal service, a reception will be given in the Geib Funeral Center at 5600 N. Wooster Avenue Dover. The family requests memorial contributions be made to Central Catholic High School, 777 Third Street NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.Linn-Hert-Geib (330) 343-5506www.geibfuneral.com