Bonnie Mandich, the wife of Jim Mandich, former Miami Dolphins tight end and the team’s play-by-play radio announcer, died last month in Miami Lakes.
She was 61.
According to reports, Mandich died in her sleep from natural causes on Monday, July 11.
She was born on December 13, 1954 in Spring Lake, New Jersey to Richard and Peggy Height.
A beautiful woman, she was asked to be Miss Vermont in college. She was an accomplished equestrian that competed in hunter and jumper competitions throughout her life. She loved animals having many cats and horses.
After she moved to Miami, Bonnie Mandich attended a game at the Orange Bowl, where she first met Jim and the two later started dating.
They tied the knot in 1981.
When Jim Mandich retired from pro football, he became the Dolphins’ announcer for WQAM (560-AM) and WIOD (610-AM), where fans could hear his famous catch phrase “Awwwright Miami” each time the Dolphins scored a touchdown or made a big play.
In addition to his broadcasting career, Mandich opened a restaurant, Ziggie and Mad Dog’s in Islamorada, and ran a drywall contracting company with his wife working alongside him.
Bonnie Mandich also helped her husband create the Dolphins’ Cancer Challenge, which includes cycling and golf events, to raise money for the University of Miami Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She served on the board of directors.
Following her husband’s death in 2011 from bile duct cancer, Bonnie Mandich continued his crusade for the Cancer Challenge, and in February, it raised more than $5 million, according to its website.
Since 2010, the Cancer Challenge has raised a total of $16.5 million.
After her husband’s death, Bonnie Mandich and the couple’s children accepted his honor when the Dolphins posthumously inducted him into the team’s Honor Roll at Dolphins Stadium.
Bonnie Mandich is survived by her sons Michael, Mark and Nick, grandson Thomas and brother Rick Height.
The Mandich family has asked that donations be made to the Dolphins Cancer Challenge in her honor at 347 Don Shula Drive, Miami Gardens, Florida 33056 or visit www.dolphinschallenge.com.