Murray Bono

Murray Bono, a fourth-generation Savannah native who was a retired businessman and past leader of several civic and religious institutions, died at Savannah Hospice on Friday.?? He was 92.



Murray was born on March 29, 1921, to Gussie Schine Bono and Mesod Bob Bono, owner of Bono Men's Quality Shop on Broughton Street.?? Raised on Gwinnett Street, he was in the first class to graduate from Savannah High School's Washington Avenue location.?? Murray also spent his youth studying violin with Professor Rudolf Jacobson and in later years performed with both the Savannah Symphony Orchestra and its precursor, the Savannah Chamber Orchestra.



Murray's education at Armstrong Junior College was interrupted when he joined the 'Mighty Eighth' Air Force Division in World War II.?? After serving in England, France and Germany, Murray returned to Savannah and in 1945 started Savannah Wholesale Company with partner Albert Yellin (now deceased), selling primarily ladies hosiery and undergarments to mercantile stores throughout the southeast.?? From a single employee, Savannah Wholesale Company grew to employ 250 people after Bono and Yellin founded Allied Department Stores in 1958, naming the stores to both capitalize on the post-war popularity of the word \"Allied\" and describe the wide range of merchandise offered.?? Allied Department Stores grew across Georgia, South Carolina and Florida to total 72 stores that employed hundreds more people.?? Murray retired after selling the operation to a large conglomerate in 1978, but the stores still operate today as part of the Citi Trends chain.



Murray was an active civic leader deeply involved in a variety of charitable institutions.?? He was a member of the B'nai B'rith Jacob Synagogue, the Agudath Achim Synagogue, Temple Mickve Israel, the Jewish Educational Alliance, the Chatham Club, and the Savannah Golf Club.?? Murray served at different times as President of both B'nai B'rith Men's Chapter 76 and the Savannah Jewish Federation, reactivating the Score chapter of the latter in Savannah after his retirement and then becoming the Regional representative for the State of Georgia.?? As a young man, he was an exhausted rooster of the Jaycees, and after retirement he served in the International Executive Service Corps in both Savannah and Iloilo Island in the Philippines.



Murray is survived by his wife of 57 years, Muriel Lewis Bono, and sons:?? Michael Lewis Bono who lives with his wife Susan Ash Bono in Houston, Texas, David Aaron Bono, who lives with his wife Dr. Holly Elizabeth Happe in Boston, Massachusetts, and Mark Jeffrey Harris who lives with his wife Brenda in Houston, Texas.?? He is also survived by four grandchildren:?? Mitchell Bono and Allison Bono of Chicago, Illinois, Gayle Bono of Houston, Texas, and Abby Lou Bono of Boston, Massachusetts.



Murray leaves behind many other relatives with whom he was close, as well as scores of life-long friends and community members.?? He will be sorely missed for his calm temperament, compassionate wisdom, wicked sense of humor, and high regard for everyone he knew.?? He was a warm and loving gentleman.



The funeral service will be held at 10 o'clock Sunday morning in the chapel of Gamble Funeral Service conducted by Rabbi Avigdor Slatus. Interment will be in Bonaventure Cemetery.



Remembrances: Hospice Savannah ' Post Office Box 13190, Savannah, Georgia 31416 or a charity of the donor's choice.