Alexander A. Buono Led Monmouth County Office on Disabilities, advocated for funding on county level across N.J. Alexander A. Buono of Holmdel, N.J., passed away on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, in the company of his family. Visitation is Monday, April 2, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Rd., Holmdel. Mass of the Christian Burial is Tuesday, April 3, at 9:15 a.m. at the Church of St. Catharine, 108 Middletown Rd., Holmdel. Interment will follow at St. Catharine Cemetery, Sea Girt, N.J. Mr. Buono was born in Newark, N.J., on June 17, 1935, graduated from Irvington High School, and attended Seton Hall University. Alex dedicated his life to helping people with disabilities, inspired by his diagnosis with multiple sclerosis early in his sales career. He was a pioneer in advancing awareness for the need for statewide funding for anti- discrimination and accessibility in public facilities, transportation, and housing. His outspoken advocacy led to the creation of New Jersey's first recognized county office dedicated to service the needs of the handicapped. He served nine years as an unpaid volunteer helping to establish fully funded county offices throughout New Jersey. Rewarded for his steadfast dedication, in 1989, Alex forfeited his disabled status, returning to the workforce to lead the last county office on disabilities to become funded. He served 11 more years as the director of the Monmouth County Office on Disabilities before retiring in 2002. He was also a founding member of the Consumer Advisory Council on the Disabled, and established the first Independent Living Center for the disabled in Long Branch, N.J. He served on the board of directors for the Fair Housing Board and the Count Basie Theater. Alex maintained his career dedication in retirement, assisting with his nonprofit organizations distributing used durable medical equipment to the less fortunate and arranging theater performances to continue to raise awareness of people with disabilities. He was predeceased by his parents, Alberico and Rose Buono, and his sister, Angela Linarducci, and brother-in-law, Joseph. Surviving are his wife, Patricia Buono (nee Villanova) of Holmdel; his children, Karen Power and her husband, Daniel of Hazlet, N.J.; Alex Buono of Lincroft, N.J.; Michael Buono and his wife, Patricia of Wall, N.J.; grandchildren, Christopher, Andrew and Joseph Buono; sister, Carmela Hergenrother and her husband, Rheinhardt of Colts Neck, N.J., and many loving nieces and nephews. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Mr. Buono's page of tributes at holmdelfuneralhome.com.