Gerald B. Bonanno

Gerald Bartolo Bonanno, age 82, of Kearneysville, WV, passed away on December 15, 2024, at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center. He was born on December 4, 1942, to Felix and Stella (Pellegra) Bonanno in Passaic, New Jersey. Gerry grew up in New Jersey with his brothers, Richard and Michael. After graduating from Passaic High School, Gerry served for four years (plus two years reserve) in the United States Air Force as an Air Policeman.

After completing his military service, he met and married the love of his life, Barbara A. Bonanno, of Haledon, New Jersey. Gerry and Barbara were married in 1969 and moved to Wantage, New Jersey in 1974, where they lived and raised a family for the next 33 years. He worked most of his life in trucking – driving both tractor trailers and tankers throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. After retiring, Gerry and Barbara moved to Kearneysville, West Virginia, where they have lived for the last 17 years.

Gerry was as comfortable working with his hands, as he was spending a rainy afternoon reading. He was a self-educated, avid reader – whether history, politics, or a sprawling novel. As a young man, Gerry enjoyed hunting and later in life quickly mastered just about any shooting sport he tried. In particular, he enjoyed competing in bullseye pistol and trap shooting. He was a proud member of, and served in leadership roles at, the Franklin Revolver & Rifle Association (Franklin, NJ) and the Leetown Gun Club (Kearneysville, WV).

Above all else, Gerry was a loyal and devoted family man. There was no better or more selfless protector and provider. While he cut an imposing figure in his parenting days, Gerry was turned to mush by his granddaughters. They were God’s way of lightening his heart and he loved them dearly.

Gerry is survived by his wife Barbara; daughter Gina Bonanno and son-in-law Robert Varcadipane of Dingmans Ferry, PA; son Jerry and daughter-in-law Hope Bonanno of Brunswick, MD; granddaughters Ava and Grace Bonanno; brother and sister-in-law Michael and Nancy Bonanno; and sisters-in-law Donna Benedetti and Linda Daugherty.

Services for Gerry will be held at Rosedale Funeral Home and Cemetery in Martinsburg, WV (917 Cemetery Road) on Thursday, December 19, 2024, with visitation is from 10:00am-12:00pm, services from 12:00pm-1:00pm, and burial at 1:00pm with luncheon to follow.