Photo credited to Deja Martin Funeral Home
A football coaching legend in Two Rivers has passed away.
Jerry “Buns” Bonino has died at Frontida Care Center in Manitowoc on Wednesday, July 16th.
He was 86.
Bonino was born in Verona and graduated from Verona High School before getting a bachelor’s degree in physical education in 1962 from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
After studying at Winona State University in Minnesota, he began teaching and coaching football, baseball, and basketball at Iola-Scandinavia, where he also served as their athletic director.
He then taught at Xavier High School in Appleton before coming to Two Rivers High School for 27 years.
He served as the head football coach for the Raiders for 18 years, leading the team to three consecutive WIAA Division III state titles in 1980, 1981, and 1982.
He finished his football coaching career with a record of 127-58 and retired in 1995. Bonino was also named Lakeshore Area Football Coach of the Year in 1981 and 1982, as well as Northeastern Wisconsin Football Coach of the Year in 1981.
He’s enshrined in the Lakeshore All-Sports Hall of Fame as well as the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame.
The football field at Two Rivers High School is also named after him.
In his spare time, Bonino enjoyed playing softball, golfing, and gardening.
Funeral services will be held next Thursday (July 24th) at St. Peter the Fisherman Catholic Church in Two Rivers.
