Richard Joseph Bonacum

Rich was born on August 4th, 1943 in Huntington, New York to the late Dorothy and Cornelius Bonacum. He grew up in Babylon, attending Seton Hall before graduating from Saint Anthony’s in 1961. After several road trips across the country, he spent a few years in California, where he earned his pilot’s license.

After returning to New York, he began a lifelong career in Supply Chain Management. He married the love of his life, Barbara, on May 6th, 1972. They bought their first home in Lake Ronkonkoma, where they raised their family. After (semi) retiring in 2006, they relocated to Lexington, South Carolina.

Rich was an incredibly kind man, always quick to offer a smile or advice - advice which, more often than not, turned out to be excellent. His sense of humor was legendary. His sharp wit and impeccable timing made all of those around him laugh.

He was generous and compassionate, humble and loving. He took everything life threw at him with grace, and with an infectious grin and a big, booming laugh.

He had a passion for travel - whether it was sitting on the beach, listening to the waves or taking random car rides to check out a new area or town. Rich’s curiosity was endless. He would spend hours googling his latest interest or researching real estate. He loved to read, listen to music and would have made an excellent detective with the amount of time he spent watching true crime. He enjoyed nature, bird watching and star gazing.

Rich is survived by his wife of 53 years, Barbara, and his children, Brett Bonacum, Bryan (Leigh) Bonacum and Brooke (Raymond) Troche. He leaves behind eight grandchildren - Brianna (Brian) Keckeisen, Brandon (Mallory) Pettersen, Tyler Bonacum, Taylor (Rafael) Mesquita, Daniel Lieberman, Ethan Lieberman, Logan Bonacum and RJ Troche, and three great grandchildren, Bentley and Luca Mesquita and Harrison Keckeisen.

He will be greatly missed by his brother-in-law, Robert Potocki and his foster sister, Maureen Smith, as well as his many nieces and nephews.

We take comfort in the knowledge that Rich will be reunited with his late siblings, sisters Dorothy Bachelor, Bonnie Bonacum and Kathleen Meaney, brother Cornelius Bonacum and sister-in-law, Joanne Johnson.

Rich was a friend to all who knew him. Truly a good man, the world is a little bit grayer today without his light and warmth.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home – Lexington Chapel, 503 North Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072, with visitation to follow.