ALBANY – Jerome G. “Jerry” Bonnabeaux, 78, of Albany, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 12, 2016. Jerry was born in Brooklyn to Eugene and Dorothy (Newman) Bonnabeaux on February 9, 1938. He was a graduate of John Adams High School in Queens, and attended St. John’s University in Queens on a full baseball scholarship. After graduating college, he was signed by the San Francisco Giants and played two years in the minor leagues, before being sidelined by injuries. He fondly remembered participating in spring training and playing alongside Willie Mays and other Giants’ greats. After baseball, Jerry served in the National Guard for three years and worked at Creedmoor State Hospital. The family moved to Clifton Park in 1969 and to Albany in 1984. While upstate, Jerry worked at the New York State Office of Mental Hygiene, where he held a number of positions leading efforts to provide a more humane and productive lifestyle for people with special needs. During his 36-year career with the State, Jerry worked tirelessly to improve the lives of others, and made many lifelong friends in the process. Jerry loved boating on the Peconic Bay on Long Island, Lake George, and Charlotte Harbor, while he and his wife were winter residents of Punta Gorda, Florida. Jerry enjoyed bowling, tennis, dining out, and shopping for real estate. Most of all, Jerry cherished time with his family, including his three brothers who all remained close throughout the years. Friends and family alike appreciated Jerry’s quick wit and sense of humor.
Jerry is survived by his high school sweetheart and beloved wife of 55 years, Carol Ann Bilek Bonnabeau; his daughter Christine Bonnabeaux (Danny Charleston) of Albany; his son Jerry Bonnabeau (Heidi) of Reading, MA; his brothers Herbert Bonnabeaux (Mary) of Wilson, NC, and Dr. Richard Bonnabeau (Gunes) of Saratoga Springs; his sisters in law Patricia Bonnabeau of Montauk, and Linda Bilek of Lindenhurst, NY; his grandchildren Dylan, Brendan, and Daniel Murphy, Nicholas, Erik, and Mark Bonnabeau; also survived by Dylan and Christopher Charleston, and by many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother Eugene Bonnabeau; his sisters in law Josephine Bonnabeau and Monica Bonnabeau; and his brother in law Robert Bilek.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Monday morning at 8:30am, and from there to the Parish of Mater Christi, Hurst Ave., Albany at 9:30am. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Sunday from 3-7 p.m. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Saratoga Springs at a later date. The family suggests memorial contributions in support of Parkinson’s research to: Donation Processing, The Michael J. Fox Foundation, P.O. Box 5014, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5014. To leave a message of condolence for the family or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Michelle Gray
February 13, 2016 at 7:24 pmLove and prayers to you all.
Joanne Popovics
February 15, 2016 at 4:53 pmPlease accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your father, husband and grandfather. May the support of friends and family give you comfort during this difficult time.
Alison lattimore
February 17, 2016 at 8:20 amChris and family:
So sorry to hear of Jerry’s passing…thoughts and prayers with you and your family at this time.
Greg and Joe from The Roxbury
February 17, 2016 at 9:27 amAlthough we never knew you, we know your daughter and anyone who raised such and amazing daughter must be pretty amazing as well. Our thoughts are with your family.
Les and Claire Kipp
February 17, 2016 at 6:22 pmCarol, Gunner and Chris, we are so sad to hear of Jerry’s passing. We will always remember the wonderful time we spent together! God bless you!
Ed and Karen Solomon
February 23, 2016 at 11:51 amCarol, Chris and Gunner, and grandchildren
A good man, a bright light in this world has left us. May the Lord who holds Jerry in the palm of his hand enfold each of you in his tender and loving arms.
Love and peace
Ed and Karen Solomon
Reg and Ron Gerhard
February 23, 2016 at 4:08 pmMay fond memories of Jerry bring you comfort during this hard time. We join you in looking back on all the good times we shared. Although we’ll be out of town on the 29th we will be with you in spirit. We miss our dear friend Jerry.
Dennis and Karen McDermit
February 26, 2016 at 5:44 pmWe will miss Jerry greatly in our neighborhood.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Carol and the family.
Don Miles
March 3, 2016 at 8:36 pmJust learned from Ron Gerhard of Jerry’s death and was blessed to learn that he was visiting Jerry in the hospital. Surely wish I could have done the same. I loved Jerry and admired his love and devotion to you, Carol, (or Shotze, as he always called you). Sounds like a German word, but I don’t know what it means. And Jerry was so proud of his kids. He had some nicknames for them too, but it’s been 37 years and my old brain isn’t the same. Judy and I are praying God’s comfort on you in the promise of the resurrection. See you and Jerry one day up there in Glory.