John "Jay" Bonfilio, Jr.

John Eaton Bonfilio Jr. “Jay,” of Orlando Florida, died on April 14, 2021. He was 29 years old, and while there are so many words that can fill this space, it seems through the inundation of messages and memories shared over the last few days, the commonality is always love.

Jay was born to his mother, Dani-Anne Bonfilio, and father, John Eaton Bonfilio, on October 8, 1991. Even as a child he was fast. He moved endlessly – running, jumping, never sitting still. He was mischievous and funny, and despite the tough persona he built over-time, at the center of it all was a sensitive boy who loved deeply. In a world of cliques and stereotypes, Jay effortlessly flew from human to human, blurring those lines that are taught to us over the course of a lifetime, and bringing together even the most unlikely of pairs. It has been said that the cure to all is laughter – perhaps this was how he did it – there is not a single soul he has met who does not remember the way he made us laugh each and every day of his short life.

Like everyone who has ever experienced the palpability of grief, we wish it had been longer – and we hope that people remember Jay as we do – funny, and fast, and mischievous, and above all – loving. We hope that you remember the meaning of our tragedy and take from it a lesson; love hard, deeply, and without bias. Judge less, and laugh more. Find within ourselves, our neighbors, and our society, what it is that makes each of us not different, but special, and encourage it. Know that a life well-lived is not the acclimation of intellectual prowess, money or fame, but of blurring barriers, finding friends who turn into family, and understanding the ineffable depth and simple beauty of the human heart.

Even his broken one was beautiful.

He leaves behind his parents - all of them, grandparents Edward Walsh Jr., Pauline Molinari, Ralph Bonfilio, sisters Cori-Anne Bonfilio and McKenzie Ruggiers, brother Chad Roberts, Nephews Avery and Liam Nieboer, daughter Hope Noel Monington, aunts, uncles, cousins, and a lifetime of friends and memories, who will never be without laughter. A celebration of life will be held at a later time.

Arrangements entrusted to CAREY HAND COLONIAL FUNERAL HOME, 2811 Curry Ford Road, Orlando, FL 32806 407-898-2561 www.careyhandcolonialfh.com