Joseph Bono

As a young man in Sicily, Joe worked as a messenger at Cantiere navale di Palermo (Palermo Navy Yard). In 1957, the handsome young man traveled with his mother as she immigrated to the United States. It was during this journey that he met the love of his life, Jacqueline Russo. Joe returned to Sicily knowing that his life’s adventure was waiting for him in U.S., and as quickly as he had his affairs in order, Joe arrived in the U.S, permanently, in 1959.

In 1962, the happy young couple married and settled in Bay Shore, Long Island, New York. In 1963, they welcomed the birth of their first child John Joseph. In 1964 they opened Joe’s Pizza in Bay Shore. In 1973, Joe and Jackie sold the pizzeria and moved to Grand Rapids where Jackie’s family emigrated to from Sicily. In 1974 Joe and Jackie opened Bono’s Italian Restaurant, it was at that time that they were blessed with birth of their second child Anna Maria. In 1985, along with their son John, they started Bono Foods, a wholesale food service distributor of Italian foods and paper products. Joe and Jackie also owned Bono Rental commercial/apartments.

Proud of his Italian/Sicilian heritage, Joe was one of the founding members of the Order Sons of Italy in America - West Michigan Lodge #2531, where he hosted the first official meeting in his restaurant. He also assisted the Italian government working as a local consulate for Italian citizens in Grand Rapids. Joe was a proud sponsor and supporter of the annual Italian Festival in downtown Grand Rapids where through Bono’s Italian Restaurant he served Italian sausage and meatball sandwiches.

In his spare time you could find Joe driving his golf cart and working on his property, his biggest passion was his garden he loved growing tomatoes and zucchini. He was also known to be a bit of a tinkerer always trying to make things “better”.

Joe was a dedicated family man, successful and hard-working restaurateur, and green-white-red thumbed gardener who will be remembered by all who knew and loved him.

Joe is survived by his wife, Jackie; his children, John (Nicole) Bono and Anna Maria (Steve) Jones; his grandchildren, Alexandra Bono, Gina (Jordan) Corstange, Gavin and Colin Jones; his sister, Susan Cucinella; his brothers-in-law, Salvatore Russo and Joseph (Stella) Russo; and his many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his brothers, Salvatore, Antonino, Vito and Rosario “Jimmy”; his nephew, John Bono; his brother-in-law, Benedetto “Pino” Cucinella; and his sister-in-law, Mimma Bono.

Visitation for Joe will be held on Monday October 13, 2025, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Reyers North Valley Chapel with a Rosary being said at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on October 14, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church where the family will greet friends for one hour prior to the service.

Memorial Donations in memory of Joe may be made to the American Heart Association.