Title
Honoring the Life of Eusebio “Bonn” Batan, Fishtown’s “Mayor of Crease Street”.
Body
WHEREAS, Eusebio “Bonn” Batan was born in Malate, Philippines near Manila in 1956. His father was a driver for the San Miguel Beer Company, and his mother was a stay-at-home mom, although early Bonn’s family moved to Mandaluyong City; and
WHEREAS, Bonn was the last of six children. He had six step siblings, but only three were part of his world and: Felicia, Benjamin, and Alfredo. Bonn’s father died in 1989, and his mother in 2014;
WHEREAS, Bonn attended public school, graduating from the Elpidio Quirino Highschool in 1973, having studied steno and typing. Post high school Bonn attended engineering classes for one semester, but for financial reasons discontinued his studies, beginning work in 1974 as a tool keeper, and in 1978 he commenced working in a flour mill as a mill operator, grinding, mixing, and batching flour, staying at that job until 1985; and
WHEREAS, In 1981 Bonn married Imelda De Roxas, and two daughters soon followed, Clementine and Cherrish. In 1985, Bonn went overseas to work in Saudi Arabia, working at mills in Dammam and Jeddah, initially as a silo cleaner, and later in making pasta; and
WHEREAS, Bonn worked at this job until 1990, when he returned to Manila for his annual vacation, but because of the turmoil stemming from the Kuwait War, i.e., the Persian Gulf War, he stayed in Manila until for approximately a year, returning to Jeddah with the expectation he would work in the flour mill. He was instead offered the opportunity to work as a salesman for World Book Encyclopedia, a job at which he excelled in such measure he twice participated at the World Book Encyclopedia International Achievers Conference, the first being held in Istanbul, and the second being held in 1994 in Honolulu; and
WHEREAS, While in Honolulu, Bonn’s cousin, an American citizen living in suburban Los Angeles, suggested Bonn travel to Los Angeles for a visit. That visit was informally extended for approximately five years, at which time Bonn worked for several assisted living facilities and other businesses, until in 1999, upon recommendation of a friend, Bonn traveled to Philadelphia, taking up residence on Crease Street in Fishtown; and
WHEREAS, Bonn worked in the kitchen at several different restaurants in Center City, including Tavern on Camac, the Venture Inn, and the Westbury. In 2015, having obtaining citizenship, Bonn commenced work in the kitchen of Atria, a senior living facility in Center City, then he worked in the kitchens of the Comcast, and eventually worked as an ambassador for Comcast, where he remained until November 2024 when he retired for health reasons; and
WHEREAS, Although Bonn’s wife Imelda died in Manila in 1996, his daughters, both of whom live in Manila, are in good health, having given Bonn three grandsons. Bonn’s career was dotted with various awards beyond the International Achiever’ Conferences mentioned earlier, specifically he was selected to represent Atria at a nationwide conference in Louisville, and he received numerous awards when he worked in the kitchens at Comcast. Moreover, having learned of Bonn’s illness, the employees of Comcast raised approximately $50,000.00 through Go Fund Me to assist in meeting Bonn’s medical expenses; and
WHEREAS, Bonn’s contributions to his neighborhood are legendary: beginning with his four dogs which were a neighborhood fixture; his selfless daily commitment to cleaning his and the immediately adjoining streets; his relentless efforts to promote cordiality and community spirit through the annual block party and other public celebrations; and culminating in his heroic efforts to create and maintain the Crease Street Garden, which was later acquired by the Neighborhood Gardens Trust; and
WHEREAS, Bonn is held in the highest regard in Fishtown, and, notwithstanding the illness that has beset him, is widely recognized as the honorary Mayor of Crease Street. Bonn represents the highest example of a committed, big-hearted, non-judgmental, generous individual, and as such has been a inspiration to all who have been privileged to meet him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby honors the life and legacy of Eusebio “Bonn” Batan, Fishtown’s “Mayor of Crease Street”
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Eusebio “Bonn” Batan as evidence of the true and sincere admiration and respect of this legislative body.
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