Obituary for David M. Bono
David Michael Bono of Westerly passed away on the 23rd of October 2023, at Royal Health of Westerly where he was briefly a resident. His wife, Romayne, and his sister, Mary Margaret, were with him at the end.
David was born in Westerly, RI, he was the youngest child of Gaetano (Tom) Bono and Jennie Longo Bono. David was predeceased by his eldest sister, Jennie Lynne.
David graduated from Chariho Regional High School in 1973 and Thames Valley Technical College (now CT State Community College Three Rivers) in 1977. After graduation, he worked at a variety of technical jobs, spending a significant part of his early working life at Acme Wire in Mystic, CT, in production and design. He graduated from Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI) in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, and went on to work in CAD, drafting, and architectural design for firms in Pawtucket, RI and New Haven, CT. Later in his career he taught mechanical design and engineering technology at Grasso Tech in Groton, CT, from 1998 to 2013. He also served as faculty adviser to the National Honor Society at Grasso.
Active in community affairs, David served for more than a decade on the Property Committee of Christ Church, as president of The Westerly Friends of the Library from 1986 to 1988 and on the Association Board of Trustees, where he was a consultant to the Building Committee for the Library’s 1992 expansion. He was also one of the early activists who helped form the WARM Shelter, now known as the WARM Center.
David was extremely skilled in metalworking and maintained an extensive hobby machine shop where he created working scale models of historic steam locomotives. He was also quite active in the power boating community, collecting and restoring vintage outboard motors. He regularly attended regional meets of railroad enthusiasts and of the Antique Outboard Club, where his expertise and skills were always in demand.
Despite being confronted by numerous severe challenges arising from an automobile accident in 1977 which resulted in paraplegia, David never conceded a single inch to any of them nor asked for an ounce of special consideration. His courage and perseverance were matched by his exceptional intelligence and unshakable loyalty to his family, friends and everyone he loved.
David will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him but especially by his wife Romayne Niemeyer Bono; his sister Mary Bono and her husband Glenn Dorph; Romayne’s brother Tom Niemeyer and his wife Tammy; her sister Katie; brothers, Joe and Bernie, and their families. He will also be missed by Romayne’s daughter Jessica Boyer; his grandchildren, Damien, Ashley and Allyson; his first wife, Jayne; and many dear cousins.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, November 1st, at Christ Church, 7 Elm St., Westerly, followed by a celebration of his life in the church hall. Interment will be at a later date at River Bend Cemetery overlooking the Pawcatuck River, where David spent countless hours boating—testing his antique outboard motors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity in his memory, such as the WARM Center. A favorite of David’s is The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfunerahome.com
David was born in Westerly, RI, he was the youngest child of Gaetano (Tom) Bono and Jennie Longo Bono. David was predeceased by his eldest sister, Jennie Lynne.
David graduated from Chariho Regional High School in 1973 and Thames Valley Technical College (now CT State Community College Three Rivers) in 1977. After graduation, he worked at a variety of technical jobs, spending a significant part of his early working life at Acme Wire in Mystic, CT, in production and design. He graduated from Roger Williams University (Bristol, RI) in 1995 with a bachelor’s degree in architecture, and went on to work in CAD, drafting, and architectural design for firms in Pawtucket, RI and New Haven, CT. Later in his career he taught mechanical design and engineering technology at Grasso Tech in Groton, CT, from 1998 to 2013. He also served as faculty adviser to the National Honor Society at Grasso.
Active in community affairs, David served for more than a decade on the Property Committee of Christ Church, as president of The Westerly Friends of the Library from 1986 to 1988 and on the Association Board of Trustees, where he was a consultant to the Building Committee for the Library’s 1992 expansion. He was also one of the early activists who helped form the WARM Shelter, now known as the WARM Center.
David was extremely skilled in metalworking and maintained an extensive hobby machine shop where he created working scale models of historic steam locomotives. He was also quite active in the power boating community, collecting and restoring vintage outboard motors. He regularly attended regional meets of railroad enthusiasts and of the Antique Outboard Club, where his expertise and skills were always in demand.
Despite being confronted by numerous severe challenges arising from an automobile accident in 1977 which resulted in paraplegia, David never conceded a single inch to any of them nor asked for an ounce of special consideration. His courage and perseverance were matched by his exceptional intelligence and unshakable loyalty to his family, friends and everyone he loved.
David will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him but especially by his wife Romayne Niemeyer Bono; his sister Mary Bono and her husband Glenn Dorph; Romayne’s brother Tom Niemeyer and his wife Tammy; her sister Katie; brothers, Joe and Bernie, and their families. He will also be missed by Romayne’s daughter Jessica Boyer; his grandchildren, Damien, Ashley and Allyson; his first wife, Jayne; and many dear cousins.
A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00am on Wednesday, November 1st, at Christ Church, 7 Elm St., Westerly, followed by a celebration of his life in the church hall. Interment will be at a later date at River Bend Cemetery overlooking the Pawcatuck River, where David spent countless hours boating—testing his antique outboard motors. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity in his memory, such as the WARM Center. A favorite of David’s is The Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. Gaffney-Dolan Funeral Home, 59 Spruce St., Westerly is in charge of the arrangements. For online condolences please visit www.gaffneydolanfunerahome.com