Salvatore ‘Sal’ Bonavita

Salvatore “Sal” Bonavita, 84, passed away Monday, July 28, from complications due to dementia. Sal was born in Brooklyn, NY, in 1941, and raised by his parents, Rita and Anthony Bonavita. As a child, he cherished listening to music with his grandfather while his grandmother baked. His love of opera and classical music, sparked in those early years, continued throughout his life.

He met his first wife, Odette (deceased), while picking up his college roommate — her older brother. By coincidence, both Sal and Odette later found their way to San Francisco, where they eventually married and raised their family in Tiburon-Belvedere.

From a young age, Sal’s entrepreneurial ambitions took him from the Catskill Mountains to Chicago, and ultimately to San Francisco. He became deeply engaged in the coffee, tea, and import business, founding Coffee Imports International. Through this venture, he was one of the first to bring espresso machines into the United States. In the late 1970s, Sal acquired Peet’s Coffee and Tea, having trained under Alfred Peet’s tutelage; the two remained lifelong friends. Over the years, Sal was involved in a variety of coffee and tea ventures, including Wolf in Santa Rosa and Bonavita in Mill Valley and San Rafael.

Sal was a man who truly loved life. A defining quote of his was “Love & Beauty,” a sentiment that perfectly captured his philosophy. Known for his generosity and equanimity, he was always willing to help a friend, mentor a colleague, and show deep love and devotion to his family.

In his later years, Sal shared his life with his second wife, Joan, who lovingly cared for him in their home until his passing. He is survived by Joan, his wife of 16 years; his two children, Anthony Bonavita and Nicole (Keith) Collins; his step-son, Brian Evjenth; and his four grandchildren, Sienna, Ronin, Anjali, and Declan.

In recognition of Sal’s passion for sailing and being on the water, a private ceremony to scatter his ashes at sea will be held in early September.