FAYETTE – George “Rist” Bonnefond, husband, father, educator, and adventurer, passed away on Saturday, April 27, 2024, leaving behind a legacy of passion, courage, and dedication.

Born on April 13, 1949, in Great Neck, N.Y., Rist lived a life of purpose, impacting countless lives through his work in education and embracing the great outdoors with unwavering enthusiasm.

Rist’s educational journey began at Buckley Country Day where his father taught and coached and Camp Adirondack on Lake George. He furthered his education at Phillips Exeter Academy and Cornell University, where he developed a commitment to fostering growth and knowledge in others. A lifelong learner, he possessed a natural aptitude for languages and writing, coupled with an extensive vocabulary that he relished in deploying frequently.

Throughout his career, Rist dedicated himself to the field of education and educational leadership. From his early days at Dublin School to his time at The Loomis Chaffee School, Rist’s passion for communities and schools was omnipresent. It was during his remarkable 21-year tenure as the Headmaster at Kents Hill School that Rist truly thrived, shaping the lives of students and colleagues with his wisdom, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Deeply engaged in the full life of students, he could always be found on the sidelines of games and events cheering for the Huskies.

Beyond his professional achievements, Rist was an avid outdoorsman. Whether he was carving through fresh powder on the slopes, cycling along scenic trails, searching for a lost golf ball, navigating whitewater rapids, turtling the sailboat in the lake, or embarking on wilderness camping trips with his family, Rist’s adventurous spirit knew no bounds. His love for outdoor activities, including downhill and cross-country skiing, golfing, canoeing, and kayaking, brought him endless happiness and he loved doing these activities with his family and friends.

Rist’s love story with his wife, Joy Curtis Bonnefond, began at Winona and Wyonegonic Camps in Maine, where their shared passion for adventure and the great outdoors became a lifelong partnership spanning 51 years. Together, they created cherished memories, raised their two children, and embarked on countless adventures, with loyal canine companions always by their side.

Rist will be fondly remembered for his infectious sense of humor, his unwavering kindness, and the way he fully embraced life. His legacy lives on in the lives he impacted, the minds he inspired, and the memories he created.

Rist is survived by his wife, Joy; their children, Ray Bonnefond and his wife Carrie, Amy Bonnefond Smucker and her husband Jimmy; Andy and Beth Curtis, Moose and Trish Curtis; and his beloved nieces and nephews. Rist took great pride in his four grandchildren, Jack, Grant, Casey and Aristias.

Rist loved his friends fiercely and they were like family to him. The Bonnefond and Smucker families have an incredible amount of gratitude for the family and friends that helped Rist to live a full and active life while battling Parkinson’s disease for over 30 years.

A celebration of life will be held Monday, May 20 at 11 a.m. at the Bodman Performing Arts Center at the Kents Hill School in Kents Hill. Parking is available at the Alfond Athletic Center.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Plummer Funeral Home, 16 Pleasant St., Augusta, ME 04330. Condolences, stories and photos may be shared by visiting http://www.plummerfh.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions be made to the Winona Campership Fund via the American Camp Association (ACA), in honor of Rist’s lifelong dedication to education and the great outdoors.

Checks may be made out to the American Camp Association and sent to:

Winona Camps

35 Winona Rd.

Bridgton, ME 04009

207-647-3721

Copy the Story Link

« Previous

Obituary: Jean Clark

Next »

Obituary: Alta W. Liscomb