dies at age of

82

Michael Bono remembered as ‘an integral part of the township’

By David Jablonski Managing Editor

Michael T. Bono, of Union, died Wednesday, Sept. 6. He was 82. A funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph’s Church, 767 Prospect St., Maplewood, on Saturday, Sept. 9. Interment was private.

“Mike Bono was born, raised and spent his whole life in Union,” said Anthony Russo, who served 27 years on the Union Township Committee, including 10 years as mayor, as well as a former state senator, in an interview with LocalSource on Monday, Sept. 11. “He was a graduate of Union High School. He excelled in sports. He played football, baseball and wrestled.”

Born and raised in Union, Bono was the son of Michael and Rose Bono. Graduating from Union High School in 1959, he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomfield College and is a member of its Hall of Fame as the baseball team’s catcher.

“Mr. Bono did go to Union High School and was a very good athlete,” said former Superintendent Dr. Theodore Jakubowski in an interview with LocalSource on Monday, Sept. 11. “Then he was on the Board of Education and the Township Committee. He See FORMER, Page 10