On Sunday, October 1st, surrounded by beloved family members, Frank Bono left this world and joyfully entered the presence of Jesus.

Frank—born Francesco P Bono—was born in June 1924, in Newark, NJ, to Sicilian immigrant parents, Vito and Giacoma Bono. As the youngest of six children, he brought laughter and delight to his whole family. This fun and affectionate boy soon grew into a brave and compassionate young man who answered the call to enlist in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Frank chose to serve as a Hospital Corpsman in the rank of Pharmacist’s Mate Second Class and was stationed in the Palau group of islands, mostly on the Island of Peleliu. He was assigned to the First Marine Division and arrived on Peleliu during the Battle of Peleliu.

With the end of the war and the opportunities afforded by the GI Bill, Frank set his sights on California. He and his hometown buddy Charlie Magistro were accepted to Pomona College in Claremont, California. Their road trip from Jersey ended in sunny Ontario, CA in the summer of 1946. Frank was eager to put his Hospital Corpsman skills to use again and soon became an Orderly at San Antonio Hospital.

When a beautiful young surgical nurse named Joyce Felts arrived from Tennessee, Frank wasted no time asking her out on a date to the Sycamore Inn. One date turned to many. A year and a half later, the happy courtship culminated in a wedding in Nashville, Tennessee.

Eager to build a life with his new bride, Frank completed his studies, graduated from Pomona College in 1950 and was quickly hired by Farmers Insurance Company as a claims adjuster. His sharp mind for business, gregarious personality and strong work ethic propelled him swiftly to be asked to run one of the Farmers agencies. By the early 1960’s, with over a decade of experience, Frank proudly opened his own business called Frank Bono Insurance Agency.

As deeply as Frank enjoyed his work, he found even greater joy in returning home to his wife and three young daughters Jacqueline, Leslie Joy and Karen. He also found camaraderie and great satisfaction in joining Pomona Host’s Lions Club in Pomona in August 1954 and became a lifetime member. He served as the club’s president in 1963/64. Under Frank’s tenure as President, the club began its long-term commitment to the Braille Institute in Los Angeles, California, by financing a weekly bus to take blind people of the Pomona Valley to the institute for classes.

Frank and Joyce were longtime members of Purpose Church (formerly Pomona First Baptist) in Pomona for many years. Cheerful and always outgoing, Frank enjoyed serving as an usher on Sunday mornings. Together, Frank and Joyce loved serving in the ministry to the unhoused community in Pomona. They would faithfully show up each month to cook, greet and serve meals to those in need.

After more than thirty-five years in the insurance industry, Frank sold his successful business in 1987 and retired. He was happy to spend more time playing golf and was proud of the time he got a hole in one! When grandchildren began to arrive, he was thrilled to become “Poppy” and dote on all six of them—spending the afternoons whistling in the kitchen and slow-cooking his famous Sicilian spaghetti sauce with generous portions for the whole family.

Frank and Joyce were beloved longtime members of the Upland, LaVerne and Pomona community. In 2015, they moved to Redlands, California to be closer to their daughter Karen and son-in-law Bruce. As always, Frank couldn’t wait to meet new people and make new friends. In no time, he quickly became a favorite resident at The Villages at Redlands Senior community.

When Joyce passed away after a short illness in 2019, Frank’s heart was broken. Yet he bravely embraced his favorite line from Proverbs 17:22: “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” He met each day with resilience and optimism—ever the inspiration to his family and friends. Frank’s final years were spent at Mission Commons Senior Living Community, making new friends. He was rarely seen without his “WW II Veteran” hat and beamed when members of the community would say “Thank you for your service.” Sunday mornings were always a highlight when he faithfully attended services at the River Christian Reformed Church in Redlands.

For an extraordinary 99 years, Frank lived a life of optimism, joy, service, and a deep love of family and of Jesus Christ. On October 1, after a short illness, he passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Loma Linda.

Frank is preceded in death by his beloved wife Joyce and daughter Leslie Joy. He leaves behind his daughters Karen (Bruce) Grip and Jacqueline (Les) Dixon and his six grandchildren Laura (Bill) Reeves, Sarah (Ted) Krupp, Katie Grip, Thomas (Rachel) Dixon, Kristen (Jason) Golembeski and Joshua (Abby) Grip and by twelve great grandchildren.

Todd Memorial Chapel of Pomona is in charge of arrangements. A funeral service will be held at Pomona Cemetery’s Mausoleum, 502 East Franklin Avenue, Pomona California, on Friday, November 10, 2023 at 9:30 am, in the main hallway, and a Memorial service will be held later in the day, at 12:30 pm, at The River Christian Reformed Church, 459 East Highland Ave, Redlands California.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to Pomona Purpose Church’s Homeless Ministry. 586 North Main Street, Pomona California, 91768

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