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JoAnn Bonsignore, Babylon resident and volunteer
JoAnn Virginia Bonsignore, a Babylon resident who enjoyed volunteering, traveling and caring for her family, lost her battle with Huntington’s disease on June 12, 2004. She was 61 years old. Mrs. Bonsignore was born in Manhattan on March 31,1943 to Edward and Helen Vaccaro. She married Richard Bonsignore on December 7, 1963 in Bronx, after meeting him while he was working for IBM. "I met her at a resort, and then again at a reunion dance a few days later, and the rest is history," said her husband. In addition to her husband, Mrs. Bonsignore is survived by her children Lynne and her husband Christopher Staffu, of Yorktown, and Deborah of Huntington, and her grandchildren, Christina, Marissa and Alexa. She is also survived by her sister Patricia Pesacreta of Hawthorn and her brother Edward Vaccaro of Boston. Her son Stephen, who also suffered from Huntington’s disease, predeceased her 1995. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. Bonsignore worked in the banking field. when the couple had children, Mrs. Bonsignore stayed at home raising and caring for her family. Prior to moving to Massapequa, they lived in New Fairfield, CT and Yorktown Heights. She was active in women’s liberation organizations in the 1970s and became a Eucharistic minister. She was very active at St. Edward’s RC Church in New Fairfield and volunteered at women’s shelters. "She got restless after having three children and she wanted to do something outside of the home," her husband said. The couple also spent time traveling. While he was employed with IBM they traveled throughout Europe. "We went to all sorts of great places, and had a wonderful time," said her husband. Her husband said he hopes to educate more people about Huntington’s disease. He is active in the Huntington Disease Society of America (HDSA), which is the national organization. "This is a genetic disorder that does not discriminate," he said. "It is a movement disorder that is passed from generation to generation." Mrs. Bonsignore began showing signs of the illness in the 1980s, and was tested and diagnosed in 1993. She reposed at Frederick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip. Religious services were held at St. Patrick’s RC Church in Yorktown Heights. The burial was at Amawalk Cometary in Yorktown. The family is requesting donations be made the JoAnn and Stephen HDSA Memorial Fund, 158 W. 29th St., 7th floor, New York, NY 10001.
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