Alexander A. Buono, of Holmdel, passed away on Wednesday, March 28th in the company of his family. Mr. Buono was born in Newark 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 pioneer in advancing awareness for need for statewide funding for anti discrimination and accessibility in public facilities, transportation and housing. His outspoken advocacy led to the creation of NJ’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 NJ. 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 eleven 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 NJ. 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 theater performances to continue to raise awareness of people with disabilities. He is predeceased by his parents Alberico and Rose Buono, and his sister Angela Linarducci, and brother in law Joseph. Surviving is his wife, Patricia Buono (nee Villanova), Holmdel; his children, Karen Power and her husband Daniel, Hazlet, Alex Buono, Lincroft, Michael Buono and his wife Patricia, Wall; his grandchildren Christopher, Andrew and Joseph Buono; his sister Carmela Hergenrother, and her husband Rheinhardt, of Colts Neck, and many loving nieces and nephews. Visitation Monday, April 2nd, from 4pm to 8pm at the Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 South Holmdel Road, Holmdel. Mass of the Christian Burial Tuesday, April 3rd 9:15 am at Church of St. Catharine 108 Middletown Rd, Holmdel. Interment to follow at St. Catherine Cemetery, Sea Girt. To share a memory or leave a message of condolence, please visit Mr. Buono’s page of tributes at www.holmdelfuneralhome.com.