Salvatore Bonsignore

Salvatore (Sonny) Bonsignore, 89 years old, was called home on the morning of Wednesday, September 28th, 2022, while surrounded by family.

Salvatore was born on May 27th, 1933 in Brooklyn, NY to Antonio and Mary Bonsignore, becoming the beloved little brother to Angelina.

Salvatore went on to serve in active duty in the Korean War.  Following his service, he found his career with the United Nations in their Headquarters Security Services, eventually retiring with the rank of Captain after 30+ years. Years during which Salvatore received many commendations for his work there, and had the opportunity for a front row seat to many of the turbulent times’ events. He appeared on the pages of NY newspapers multiple times for involvement in putting down violent situations as well as guarding the dignitaries of the time.

He was a true hero. He had a true moral compass and deep sense of right and wrong. Back before people went viral, he was the person who pulled over to pull a person from a burning car while his family watched on terrified. He chased a thief down with no fear, performed CPR on so many neighbors and attendees at parties over the years, even giving life saving CPR and breathing to his own mother in front of his horrified family, saving her life. He always helped people, strangers or friends.

Family was everything to him. Sunday dinners with grandma and aunt, uncle and cousins were a staple. He always came home after work, no matter how late and if he had to be back in the city early, just to see his kids for a few hours. He was devoted to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Never missing an event, especially after he retired. He beamed with pride at all of their successes. Up to a week before he died, he was still asking about his great grand daughter Madison’s gymnastics (calisthenics to him). Nothing trumped family.

He was a sports fan, partial to a good boxing match, once stating “Every man likes boxing!” a hold-older from his days as a young man in Brooklyn, enjoying matches on Friday and Saturday nights. He still laments the loss of the Brooklyn Dodgers, not able to turn his loyalties to the Yankees, becoming a Met fan.

Once his beloved grandchildren began playing sports, he became an avid soccer fan, to his last day, following European soccer, and the Italian national team, especially with his grandson Christopher who kept him up-to-date on daily sporting events. He remained friends with a close group of people that all met back in the late 50’s. They vacationed in the Pocono’s together and with their family’s to dude ranches in the Catskills’. Poker nights and holiday’s celebrated together for a lifetime, until he was the last man standing.

Salvatore was predeceased by his beloved sister Angie, and Brother-in-law Charlie, wife Gloria, 2nd wife Iris.

Salvatore is survived by children Lisa, Madeline and Joe, grandchildren; Christopher, Thomas, Jennifer and Michael, great grandchildren; Madison, Mason, Emerson, niece; Josephine, nephews; Vincent, Miles and Wylie, step-children, Marc, Joann, Larry, Lee and Dawn.