James Charles "Jim" Buonocore

2/25/1934 - 4/23/2025

Waterford - James "Jim" Charles Buonocore passed away peacefully April 23, 2025, at the age of 91. He was born Feb. 25, 1934, in New London, the son of the late Michael and Frances (Bisconti) Buonocore.

James graduated from New London High School in 1952. Upon graduation, he enrolled at Ventura Junior College in California. While at Ventura, he played in the Junior College Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. After a semester, he entered the United States Air Force. While he was stationed in Washington, D.C., he played semi-pro football for the New London Pequots. After serving honorably for two years, Jim headed back to school and went south to the University of West Alabama, where he starred in football, basketball and baseball while earning a degree in education and being named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.

After graduation, Jim taught and coached while playing semi-professional football for the Providence Steamrollers, where he led the Atlantic Coast Football League in punt returns. His efforts are recorded in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. After a brief stint with the New York Football Giants farm team, Jim decided to leave the playing field and become a full-time teacher and coach.

Jim taught and coached for six years at Fitch Senior High School and three years at Norwich Free Academy before being offered the job of head football coach and physical education teacher at New London High School in 1969. Over the next 30 years, Coach Buonocore built one of the strongest high school football programs in the Northeast. Jim's teams went on to win four Merit Awards in 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1974. His teams won state championships in 1983, 1989, 1991, and 1992. His 1989 team finished sixth in the Northeast and 30th in the nation. His 1991 Whalers football team finished number one in the State of Connecticut. He led his teams to championships in the CDC, SAC and ECC. He is a member of the National High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the Connecticut High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame, the University of West Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame, the City of New London Athletic Hall of Fame and the New London High School Football Hall of Fame. Coach Buonocore, often referred to over the years as "Buonie," founded and coached softball at New London High School for 17 years. Coach Buonocore retired from New London Public Schools in 1999 with a master's degree in history and a sixth-year in physical education.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Candace; and their four children: Lynn Williams (John), Gilda Puccio (Dominic), Candace Romano (Brad) and Jim (Rachel). He also leaves behind six grandchildren who brought immense joy to his life.

His family will receive relatives and friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 29, at Neilan Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. Wednesday, April 30, at St. Joseph Church. Interment will be private.

Coach Buonocore will be remembered as an iconic figure in Connecticut high school athletics and as a mentor who left a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes. His commitment to student-athletes extended beyond the playing fields, as he was known for instilling discipline, integrity and a strong sense of community in all his players. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Donations in his memory may be made to: The Coach Jim Buonocore Scholarship Fund. Checks can be sent to NLHS Athletics, 20 Chester Street, New London, CT 06320. To share an online condolence and to view Mr. Buonocore's memorial video tribute, please visit www.neilanfuneralhome.com.