November 04, 2019
Vito D. Buonomano Jr., D.D.S. ’53, ’76G, & ’13Hon.; longtime benefactor, NAA award recipient
Vito D. Buonomano Jr., D.D.S. ’53, ’76G, & ’13Hon., a loyal, active, and generous alumnus who supported his alma mater in multiple ways throughout his life, died on June 6, 2019.
A dentist and dental consultant for more than 50 years, Dr. Buonomano was a great friend of the Dominicans and Providence College. He and his spouse, Dr. Louise J. (Sarvino) Buonomano ’76G & ’13Hon., gave generously to PC and are members of the Harkins and 1917 giving societies. The Harkins Society recognizes benefactors who name PC in their estate plans, while the 1917 Society recognizes cumulative lifetime giving to the College.
The Buonomanos established the Buonomano Family Scholarship Fund in Memory of the Dominican Fathers and supported numerous building campaigns, including providing a major gift for the Concannon Fitness Center. Along with several classmates, Dr. Buonomano helped establish the Class of ’53 Scholarship Fund.
In addition, he frequently provided pro-bono dental work for the Dominicans at his office on nearby Smith Street, regularly attended alumni and College events, including class reunions, and offered assistance to PC’s career services office.
PC’s National Alumni Association recognized Dr. Buonomano’s personal and professional contributions and accomplishments by presenting him with its Personal Achievement Award in 1993. The College presented him with an honorary doctor of public service degree in 2013 while also bestowing an honorary doctor of nursing science degree on his wife at the same time.
Born in Providence and a resident of its Elmhurst neighborhood for most of his life, Dr. Buonomano worked for his father’s construction company while earning his bachelor’s degree in biology from PC. He completed his doctoral degree at the Baltimore College of Dental Surgery in 1957.
His love of learning remained paramount, and he returned to school in the 1970s. He earned an MBA from PC in 1976, attended Boston University Graduate School of Dentistry from 1976-1978, and received a master’s degree in biomedical engineering from Brown University in 1978.
Dr. Buonomano served as a captain in the U.S. Army Dental Corps from 1957 to 1959. Later in his life, he became a real estate broker and managed multiple properties.
His genuine, caring nature led Dr. Buonomano to volunteer for various organizations in the community as well, most notably St. Mary’s Home for Children in North Providence. He supported the home for five decades, serving as a member and officer of its board of directors and establishing a scholarship to assist students there.
In addition to his spouse, Dr. Buonomano is survived by five children, 11 grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and two siblings.
Dr. Buonomano’s life was celebrated on June 14 at a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Pius V Church, adjacent to campus.
