Christopher J. Bona, 59, of Algonquin, died peacefully, August 10, 2024 at home with his family by his side.
Christopher was born January 30, 1965 in Chicago, the son of Jerome and Phyllis Bona. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame on a golf scholarship. On October 7, 1995 he married Susan J. Libby. To that union came their four beautiful daughters, which officially made Chris the best girl dad ever. He was a golf professional and the Director of Golf at Boulder Ridge Country Club. He enjoyed family time in Naples, FL and Lake Geneva, WI. He enjoyed golfing, traveling, and cheering on the Green Bay Packers. He was an amazing, kind, hard-working, devoted husband, father, Dzia Dzia, and friend, who will be missed by all who knew him.
He is survived by his wife, Susan Bona, his daughters, Taylor Bona (Dan Vandewalker), Alexis Bona (Sean Ayers), Brittney (Ricky) Terlecki and Avery Bona and by his beloved grandsons, Hudson, Phoenix, and August. Chris is also survived by his siblings, Patti (Bob) Madden, Michael (Melanie) Bona, Don (Debbie) Bona, Tim (Lauren Cerniglia) Bona, Tom Bona, Meg (Jay) Bodnar and by many nieces and nephews.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held on Friday, August 16, 2024 from 11am until 1:15pm at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763
Dundee Road, Huntley. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 1:30pm at St. Mary Catholic Church-
10307 Dundee Road, Huntley.
For further information please contact the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www,defiorefuneral.com
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My deepest condolences to Susan, Taylor, Alexis, Brittany, Avery and Chris’s siblings and dear friends. My brief privilege of meeting Chris in Lake Geneva reinforced the stories from Trevor and Michael of what a kind, caring soul Chris was. Sending love. His legacy will live on.
Sending love, prayers and hugs to the family. Chris was genuinely one of the nicest people we have ever met. He was the utmost professional and always greeted you with a smile. He will truly be missed. 🙏❤️
We are praying to God to console you all. Sorry for your loss. We loved Chris.
It was a blessing to know Chris. Sending prayers to the surviving family members.
We both send are prayers to Susan and Family in their moment of loss. As a former member at Bull Valley we remember Chris Fondly and will miss him greatly. Love Bob and Sonya❤️
With God,s love to Dearest Chis Bona. I enjoyed working with him and friends. an upstanding, admirable man & wonderful family. Bless you Chris and will have your best "round"s, forever. Prayers.
I have no words for this. We send you our love. What a wonderful husband, father, and friend. I am speechless. Love to all of you.
I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. To say that I am heartbroken for you is an understatement. There are not enough words or hugs to give that can take away the sadness and grief. Please know that you and your family are heavy on my heart. Much love to you during this most difficult time. I will pray for continued healing and strength for all of you.
Chris has made such a positive impact on this world. He will be missed by all his PGA friends. I am lucky enough to have had the chance to play with Chris on several occasions. What fun we had! He is the definition of a gentleman and the consummate Professional. It was easy to understand too that he was an exceptional family man…because he did what he said and he cared about others first. Our deepest sympathies to the entire Bona family.
We are sending our deepest condolences to Sue and the girls at this very sad time. Chris was a wonderful person who made everyone around him better and his personality always made you feel comfortable. Our thoughts and prayers go out to your family. We are so very sorry for your loss and will truly miss Chris.
Working with Chris was one of the best experiences in my life. He was selfless with his time and always made me feel like I was the most important person in the room. I am a better golf professional, father, husband, and friend because of Chris. Words cannot express the feeling of loss we will all have because of his passing. My condolences to the Bona family. I will miss him dearly.
It was an honor to know such a wonderful person, you will be missed.
Chris was a very good man that I highly respected. He will be sadly missed! RIP my friend.
My sincere condolences to the whole family . Chris was such a great person and I loved seeing him zip by my house on his Ruckus scooter beeping as he passed . This is a tough loss for all who knew him
My condolences to your family and friends. May God Bless everyone.
I have spent a lot of time with Chris over the years, on trips and at the club. He will be greatly missed. Please accept our deepest and sincerest sympathy to the family in your bereavement.
Please except the condolences of the Pipal Family- Colorado chapter. Chris was a funny kid. Many Blessings!
My deepest condolences to you and your family. God be with you always especially on this difficult time.
Many years ago Chris took a group of us to Lake Geneva. College kids we had a bunch of good clean college fun. I have seen him many times since, but his smile and carefree attitude from that weekend will be a part of me forever. I love Chris and will miss him dearly. Condolences to all but especially Sue and his four beautiful girls. Doug Giorgio.
Bona family, we stand by your side and wish you strength during your mouring period and beyond.
Nicest guy I ever met. Will miss him.
Chris was such a great person to know, are hearts are with you in this time of mourning. Lynde & Nancy
Chris will be greatly missed. There is a big void in the Boulder Community. Chris was always welcoming and helpful at the club. As a dog lover, he helped us out by letting us drop our new pup off at his house, so we could continue to golf. He was truly a genuine person. Our deepest sympathy to his whole family. Sending you our comforting hugs.
I remember Chris when I was in Wood Shop with Him as a Freshman at Lyons Township High School! He was an Outstanding Person in the Field of Industrial Arts. I learned a lot from Him in that Class! He was an Outstanding Person who did well in that class! He Will be Missed?
My deepest condolences to Susan, Taylor, Alexis, Brittany, Avery and Chris’s siblings and dear friends. My brief privilege of meeting Chris in Lake Geneva reinforced the stories from Trevor and Michael of what a kind, caring soul Chris was. Sending love. His legacy will live on.
Our deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved Chris. He was a beautiful soul and we will be praying for you to have strength after this unimaginable loss, and comfort in the memory of his joyful and loving heart. May God bless all of you.
Our hearts are grieving for your loss, Sue, Taylor, Alexis, Avery, as well as the rest of the Bona family. We will always love Chris & be forever grateful for his friendship. We are praying for your healing, comfort, and strength. Please know that we are always here for you .🙏
Words do not always capture the emotion that accompanies the loss of a husband and father. However it is important to express my sincere sorrow and sympathy for the family's loss. I was fortunate to take golf lessons from him and I admired his patience, friendliness, and knowledge about the mechanics of a golf swing. He always greeted me with my first name, which is memorable because of the many BR members he knew. Boulder Ridge Country Club has lost a person who was an integral part of its success. He probably will spend heaven making holes-in-one, eagles and birdies.
Heartfelt condolences to Susan and the kids and grandkids. So many great memories running around SJC, Springdale Park and an occasional weekend in Lake Geneva here and there. He was such a great friend and will be missed I’m sure. Rest in Peace, Chris.
We are sending our heart felt sympathy to all the family at the loss of your beloved Chris. He was such a lovely guy. A true gentlemen and a gentle man who will be sorely missed by all. xx
We were so saddened to hear of Chris’s passing. Keeping his entire family in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
To the Susan and Chris Bona family and extended families. My deepest condolences for the loss, of your husband, father brother Chris. May you all find peace to know that Chris has returned home and has united with our Lord Jesus Christ! As a fellow PGA member over the last three decades many falls Chris has extended me invitations to bring groups of my students to enjoy a day of playing golf at both facilities he was HP./ Director of golf at, Bull Valley / Boulder Ridge. Our day’s with Chris were always great fun! Chris was tremendously welcoming and enjoyed meet my students, and always had extra time to give my guest a complete tour of the facilities. Chris’s hospitality, we’re great introductions, to his clubs, and new members were created! As you celebrate Chris’s life today and every day, as you know, he was a great man, and a true friend to his fellow PGA Professionals! Eternal life, Chris! God bless us all!! Chuck Lynch PGA
We are soo sorry for your loss. Words cannot describe the pain you and your family is in. Please know that we are thinking of you in these hard times.
RIP Chris. My condolences to the Bona family.
As a fairly new member (3 years) at BR, Chris was instantly welcoming and so personable. I had great admiration for him and saddened by his loss. I've had him on our prayer list for over a year and now our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. Our deepest sympathies.
Chris my friend and fellow Domer, you were one of the real good ones. My and Trish’s sincere condolences to the Bona family. You will be missed Chris. If you can find a way, let the rest of us know how the courses are in heaven.
Sending our deepest sympathy and condolences to Susan and all of the family. Chris was a great golf pro and an even better person. He had the gift of making the game fun for everyone. He will missed.
To the Susan and Chris Bona family and extended families. My deepest condolences for the loss, of your husband, father brother Chris. May you all find peace to know that Chris has returned home and has united with our Lord Jesus Christ! As a fellow PGA member over the last three decades many falls Chris has extended me invitations to bring groups of my students to enjoy a day of playing golf at both facilities he was HP./ Director of golf at, Bull Valley / Boulder Ridge. Our day’s with Chris were always great fun! Chris was tremendously welcoming and enjoyed meet my students, and always had extra time to give my guest a complete tour of the facilities. Chris’s hospitality, we’re great introductions, to his clubs, and new members were created! As you celebrate Chris’s life today and every day, as you know, he was a great man, and a true friend to his fellow PGA Professionals! Eternal life, Chris! God bless us all!! Chuck Lynch PGA
Chris was a great person and will truly be missed. We had some great times on the end of the season golf outings at Bull Valley. Chris made it fun for everyone. Our deepest sympathies to Susan and the rest of the family.
Chris Bona, when I think about Chris, the first words that come to mind: FAMILY, Chris so adored his wife, Susan, and his beautiful family, he was so very proud of his four daughters, and then the grandkids came, how he loved them so, and was so very proud. The next words that come to mind: Integrity, honor, strength, empathy, love, pride, professionalism, character, honor, and the joy of life. He was blessed, he pursued a vocation he loved. Chris was the captain of his college golf team, carried himself with such integrity, humility, and grace. Chris would never take the spotlight, instead he would always slow down and ask, “how are you doing and how is YOUR family.” He put others before his needs. He was the type of person and friend you need in your life. Especially in these times, he was so proud of his family, I checked out his “sign” at Notre Dame, he was the captain of his golf team at ND, but you would never now that unless you pulled it out of him. A man of great character, a man that so loved his family. He was a “man’s man” such a kind person, a strong person and someone I had the privilege to call Friend. To Susan, you married a person with such strong character, he did this…. struggling with his terrible disease and diagnose, my last interactions with Chris, he was more concerned about ME than the situation in which he was dealing. That is the type of person Chris Bona is. I say is, not was, because his spirit will forever live within you and his family. Until we meet again Pal, if the world were full of Chris Bona’s this worldly place would spin in a much more pleasant manner. You were and will forever be, top class, Chris. A man of integrity and honor who so loved his Family. Thank you for your love and friendship. That is how I think of Chris Bona, the best, a pro. Until we meet again. You are free of worldly concern and anxiety. God bless you, those where the last words you said in our last text exchange. Me to you “I love you Pal, you continue to be in my prayers.” My sincere condolences to the Bona Family. PS you never could teach me how to chip a golf ball…but that is on me, not you, Pal. Impossible assignment.
My heart is heavy for all of you. Although it's been years, I will always remember that sweet smile and his gentle soul. Love and peace....... Pammy P
Our deepest condolences to the entire Bona Family. We had the pleasure of knowing Chris when we were members at Boulder Ridge. He was a man of great character and kindness. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
Having given Chris over to the loving care of the angels, I extend my sincere condolences to the Bona family. He was a genuinely wonderful son, father, husband, and friend.
Chris was the perfect gentleman , Father, and Golf Professional. May he rest in peace and God Bless his family. Ron Romack Golf Professional / Big Foot CC 1987-1991 Exmoor CC 1992-2002