AUGUSTA – Gerald W Bono, fondly known as “Jerry”, age 79, passed away peacefully at the Maine Veterans’ Home in Augusta on June 29, 2026, after a lengthy illness. Jerry was born on Oct. 17, 1946, in Springfield, Massachusetts to Emma (Niemczyk) and Ettore Bono.

Jerry grew up in a house that his father built in East Longmeadow, Mass and graduated from East Longmeadow High School in 1964.  He furthered his education at Springfield Technical Community College and the University of Massachusetts where he majored in Plant and Soil Sciences.

Jerry served proudly in the US Navy with duty stations in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Damneck, VA; and on board the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid off the coast of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.

After being honorably discharged from the Navy, Jerry held a variety of positions which included driving a tow truck for Lyndale Garage in Springfield, Mass; department store management; Co-owner of Pathfinder Productions, a nature based videography company; and finally retiring from Facilities Management responsibilities at UMASS, Amherst.

Upon retirement, Jerry moved to Maine in 2007 and settled in the town of Norridgewock, Maine where he continued his lifelong love of gardening.  He took great joy in being able to give friends and neighbors the fruits of his labor.

Jerry was a student of the game of baseball and a lifelong fan of the New York Yankees.  In his youth, he was a gifted pitcher and led his teams to many victories.  His favorite past-times included rock/fossil collecting, fishing and photography. Jerry was a member of the American Legion and the Maine Archaeological Association.

Jerry is survived by cousin James Nemsik and family of CA; cousin Sabrina Salas and family of CT; the families of Ed and Robert Majewski of MA; cousin Jill Rutherford and family of MA; and cousin Roy Orsini of CA. Jerry is also survived by the “adopted family’ of his lifelong friend and fishing companion, Tim Casey.  Jerry was “Uncle Jerry” to Tim and Ellen’s children and grandchildren, attending many of their sporting/life events and taking thousands of pictures.

Jerry was predeceased by his parents, Ettore and Emma Bono.

Jerry’s friends and family would like to thank the staff of the Maine Veterans’ Home Augusta for their years of compassionate care.

Arrangements are being handled by Plummer Funeral Home in Augusta Maine and Firtion-Adams Funeral Home of Westfield, Mass.  There will be no wake; Jerry will be interred at the Veterans Cemetery in Agawam, Mass.

Donations in Jerry’s honor can be made to your favorite charity.