John Daniel Bono Jr.

Our loving husband, dad, and Pop-Pop, “JB” of Raleigh, NC, passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, October 9 after an extended illness, just days after celebrating his 85th birthday.

His quick-witted humor and responses will be missed. “How are you?” was often met with “I was better but I got over it” or “Still on the right side of the grass”; “How are you feeling?” was met with “With my hands”; and “Good to see you” with “Better to be seen than viewed”.

JB was born in Brooklyn, NY, and raised in Roselle Park, NJ. He left high school to serve in the US Navy as a Hospital Corpsman in Cherry Point, NC. A year after leaving the Navy in 1958, he met the love of his life, his wife Dolores (Dee). They were married November 5, 1960, in Manville, NJ. They raised their family along the east coast, in NJ, FL, NY, and finally settled in NC in 1978.

After the Navy, JB had a long career in computers. He worked for Hess, Federal Electric at the Kennedy Space Center, and then joined IBM in 1969 as a computer programmer and systems analyst. He worked at IBM until his retirement in 1992, and then, after working as a bartender for a short time, continued with contract companies until his full retirement in 2002.

In addition to his skills as a computer programmer, JB had many talents in the artistic arena. Coming from a very musical family, he had a secondary career as a musician. He was a drummer and played at venues and events with several bands over the years, including the Little German Band, Casablanca Orchestra, and his own band, Good Company. JB was also a talented artist and enjoyed painting as evidenced by the many paintings that adorn the walls of his home. To complete the trifecta, he also enjoyed being on stage and played many roles in community theater in New York, including Roger Sherman in 1776, Chief Sitting Bull in Annie Get Your Gun, and JB Biggley in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.

JB never met a stranger and made friends wherever he went. Despite not moving to NC until 1978, he was an avid Tarheel fan and bled Carolina Blue.

JB gave back to the community with his involvement as a founding Charter Member of the Triangle Italian American Heritage Association (TIAHA), serving terms as President and Treasurer. He was proud of his Italian heritage. He was a member of the Odd Fellows Lodge, holding the titles of Noble Grand of the Sir Walter Lodge and Grand Conductor for the Grand Lodge of NC. He also played the role of Santa for the Children’s Orphanage in Oxford for many years and enjoyed taking the children to a Durham Bulls game every year. He was proudly involved in politics from his neighborhood association, the North Hills CAC, to city politics and even a couple of runs for office on the county level. He was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Raleigh.

Perhaps his greatest role and title was being “Pop-Pop” to his grandchildren.

JB is survived by his devoted and loving wife of almost 62 years, Dee; his four children— daughters Lori Bono of Durham; Cheryl Bono Zehia (Jeff) of Raleigh; and Barbara Horton (Shannon) of Holly Ridge, and son John Bono III (Sabrina) of Rolesville; grandchildren Sarah Hood (Dalton); Brittany Scott, Alex Scott, Michael Bono, Sierra Zehia, Connor Bono, Leah Zehia and Heather Bono; sisters Suzanne Moore and Jackie Bono, and brother Dan Bono (all of whom have broken fingers 🤣), several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents John Bono Sr and Verna Bono, brother Robert Bono, and son-in-law Frank Scott.

In lieu of flowers, In Memoriam contributions may be made to TIAHA for the John D. Bono Jr. Memorial Scholarship for the Arts c/o Rick LaFata at 7512 Old Hundred Road, Raleigh, NC, 27613. Please make checks payable to TIAHA and on the memo line John Bono Fund. Contributions may also be made to the American Heart Association.

The Bono family is grateful for the care provided over the past two and a half years by the doctors and nurses at Duke Raleigh, especially Dr Lawrence Liao; JB’s caregiver and buddy, Christen; the many aides and staff that have blessed our family’s journey at Capital Oaks and Falls River Village, and Hillside rehab. JB will be missed by his family, and the many friends he made over the years.

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