Victor L. Bono

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Victor L. Bono who was indeed a born manager. He will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. He was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with him throughout his life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Victor was an individual who clearly communicated to those around him just who he was and what he was all about. Everyone acquainted with Victor knew him as a well-respected man who was a stable force in his community.

Victor was born on January 21, 1945 at Flushing Hospital in Flushing New York. His parents were Adeline and Justin. Victor was raised in West Babylon, NY. Even as a youngster, Victor learned to be objective and decisive. His faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that he carried with him throughout his life.

As a young boy, Victor was able to put his natural abilities to work. He was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they were not ’t supposed to. In other words, he liked to organize and direct. Victor was raised with 3 siblings. He had an older brother Dominick one younger brother Justin and a younger sister Adie. Victor had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Victor, this was a natural order of life, one he gladly embraced.

Victor's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during his childhood. As a young boy, Victor enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. In his spare time he liked fishing and eating. Victor's memorable achievements included falling into Belmont Lake.

In school, Victor was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. He sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of his classes. He would eagerly complete his homework, and often put in extra study time when he felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Victor was always good at following directions and meeting his schedules, whether they were set by his teachers or were self-imposed. Victor’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” He graduated from West Babylon in 1964. He enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. His favorite class in high school was shop. Was well liked and had many friends he spent his time raising pigeons.

Victor was sociable and approachable. Because he was always so straightforward in how he approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. He enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Victor was a member of a group, his interaction worked to keep the others grounded. He wasn’t afraid to confront his friends and, when necessary, he challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Victor came to expect his high standards of performance. While growing up, one of his best friends was Rudy DiMartino. Later in life, he became friends with Rudy , John, Russ, Dave and Rusty.

An objective and conscientious individual, Victor reveled in the security of his family. On July 29, 1967 Victor exchanged wedding vows with Carol A. One of Victor’s most endearing qualities was his uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and his unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for his family and friends.

Victor was ever watchful of his children. He worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. He maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Victor would give his stamp of approval to their requests, as long as he could see how they might benefit. He also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that his children were properly raised. Victor was blessed with 3, Vicky, Laura, Carolann. They were also blessed with 6 beautiful grandchildren, Jakob, Justice, Frankie, Adie, Chantelle, Robert.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Victor was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. He was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Victor was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. He worked cooperatively and expected the same from his colleagues. In both his personal and professional environments, Victor upheld his standards. His primary occupation was tool and steel fabrication and design. He was employed for Northrop Grumman for 16 years. Victor was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Victor was an Army Veteran. His sense of duty helped lead him into the military where his understanding of rank, his willingness to abide by rules and regulations and his desire to follow orders was admired by his fellow service men and women. Through his hard work and dedication, he achieved the rank of Private.

Victor approached his leisure time in the same manner that he approached his life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, he appreciated the hours he was able to devote to his various hobbies. His favorite pursuits were boating, fishing, hunting, and hot rods. Victor was content to enjoy his favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share his interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Victor to do in life and that carried over to his enjoyment of sports. Recreational sports included coaching youth football. He also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were nascar, grandsons playing baseball.

Being generous with his time and energy, Victor liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. He was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. His desire to uphold traditions and his ability to take charge of any type of project made him a tremendous asset. Throughout his later years, Victor was an active member of the Elks, Hernando Beach Club, Hernando Beach boat lift board member and Hernando Beach HOA.

A civic-minded person, Victor was usually ready to jump in and help with community activities. He was the type of person who could masterfully organize events and projects and then see to it that they were run in an efficient and timely manner. Victor was a member of several community groups, including serving on committees for the Hernando Beach Homeowners Association. During these years, Victor applied his analytical intellect to problem solving and so was an asset on most committees.

Faith was important to Victor. He held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay he saw around him. For that reason he held deep spiritual beliefs that he was willing to share. He was a member Catholic.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Victor used his scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that he made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Victor had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Hawaii, Lake George, New York, Bahamas, Cozumel, Niagara Falls, Worlds Fair, and travel across the US.

Victor was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Victor’s favorites was Gizmo, Shitzu. They were best friends for 14 years.

When Victor’s retirement finally arrived in 1998, he was well prepared. He used his critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. His new life involved relocating to Hernando Beach, Fl. In retirement, he found new pleasure in boating , fishing, traveling and eating out. In many ways, Victor loved retirement. It provided him with the opportunity to catch up with his friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Victor passed away on January 17, 2011 at his daughter Vickys' home. Vic was fighting for his life for 23 years do to a serious heart condition then his cancer just appeared by the time he was diagnosed there was no hope of survival he was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer which had spread to his brain, liver, bones and adrenal glands 2 months ago before that no one had any idea he was even ill from the cancer. He is survived by his spouse Carol, daughters Vicky,Laura, and Carolann grandchildren Jakob, Justice Frankie, Adie Chantelle and Robert Son in Laws Andrew, Frank, and Jason siblings Domanick, Justin and Adie. Services were held at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn.

All who knew him would agree that Victor was a pillar of the community. He lived his life with his feet firmly on the ground. He had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in his thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. He was willing to share his ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Victor L. Bono did his best to ensure that his family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life he touched was given the chance to become a better person.Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Bros. Crestlawn Mortuary, Riverside, CA.