Nicholas Bono
Godfrey |
Nicholas "Nick" Bono, 91, died at 12:57 p.m. Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at Alton Memorial Hospital. Born July 23, 1918 in San Diego, CA, he was the son of Anthony and Rose (Romano) Bono. He served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. He was stationed in Pensacola, FL and repaired fighter plane radio equipment. He retired in 1982 as chief engineer for WOKZ Radio in Godfrey.
Although he did not have a formal higher education, Nick was an accomplished musician, photographer, painter, carpenter and electrician. He built his own recording studio in his home and produced demo records for aspiring musical talents. He was passionate about music throughout his life, and also about the mountains of the western states, where he visited with his family as frequently as he could. His biggest passion was his model railroad. He designed, built and wired his extensive railroad layout. In later years, his son Tony assisted in expanding it. Nick loved to entertain children by running his trains for them as they sometimes sat on his knee and work the switches with him.
He was a former member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Alton and then a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton. In June 1951 in Alton, he married Grace M. Caleca. She survives. Also surviving is a daughter; Rosanne Bono of Tryon, NC, two sons; Anthony "Tony" Bono of Godfrey, and Salvatore "Sam" Bono and his wife Jo of Dallas, TX, four grandchildren; Nicole Bono, Grace Bono, Debbie Waldrup, and Richard Bono, five great grandchildren, three sisters; Catherine Bono of Alton, Ann Dipazo of Bethalto, and Marie Bartels and her husband Ken of Godfrey. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Bono. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton. Father Jim Walther will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Although he did not have a formal higher education, Nick was an accomplished musician, photographer, painter, carpenter and electrician. He built his own recording studio in his home and produced demo records for aspiring musical talents. He was passionate about music throughout his life, and also about the mountains of the western states, where he visited with his family as frequently as he could. His biggest passion was his model railroad. He designed, built and wired his extensive railroad layout. In later years, his son Tony assisted in expanding it. Nick loved to entertain children by running his trains for them as they sometimes sat on his knee and work the switches with him.
He was a former member of St. Matthew's Catholic Church in Alton and then a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton. In June 1951 in Alton, he married Grace M. Caleca. She survives. Also surviving is a daughter; Rosanne Bono of Tryon, NC, two sons; Anthony "Tony" Bono of Godfrey, and Salvatore "Sam" Bono and his wife Jo of Dallas, TX, four grandchildren; Nicole Bono, Grace Bono, Debbie Waldrup, and Richard Bono, five great grandchildren, three sisters; Catherine Bono of Alton, Ann Dipazo of Bethalto, and Marie Bartels and her husband Ken of Godfrey. He was preceded in death by his brother, Frank Bono. Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at Gent Funeral Home in Alton. A mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Saturday at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Alton. Father Jim Walther will officiate. Burial will be at St. Joseph Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com
Obit Provided By:
Gent Funeral Home
Gent Funeral Home
