James Buonopane

James L. Buonopane, age 89, a longtime resident of Wakefield died Saturday, December 19 at the Melrose-Wakefield Hospital following a brief illness.

Born in Malden on May 4, 1931 he was the son of the late Christie and Anne (Viola) Buonopane.

Jim was raised in Malden and attended Malden High School where he was a graduate of the Class of 1949; he was captain of the school's football team for which he was inducted into the Hall of Fame. He then went on to attend Manlius Preparatory Military School in Syracuse, New York and then to The College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, where he also served as football captain. During college, Jim was drafted in the United States Army and proudly served his country from 1952-1954 during the Korean Conflict. Following his two years in the Army, he returned to college to graduate in 1956 and was later inducted into the Holy Cross Football Hall of Fame. Jim had been a Wakefield resident for 52 years. He had retired as Vice President after 35 years at Capital Distributors of Andover; and he later served seven years as a consultant for United Liquors of Braintree. In retirement Jim owned and operated prized racehorses.

He was the beloved husband of Nancy F. (Saulnier) Buonopane, with whom he shared 64 wonderful years of marriage. He was the loving father of Allene Crusco and her fiancé Al Generazzo of Wakefield, Teri Buonopane of Haverhill, Susan Schrama and her husband Bernard of Pittsburg, PA, Christine Norton and her husband Richard of Wakefield and James L. Buonopane, Jr. and his wife Carmelina of Stoneham. He was the brother of Suzanne Greenquist of VA and the late Michael Buonopane of PA. He is also survived by his nine grandchildren as well as many cousins and nieces and nephews.

Private funeral services for family will be held through McDonald Funeral Home of Wakefield. Burial will take place at Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association, 309 Waverley Oaks Rd, Waltham, MA 02452.