August Richard Buono

August “Gus” Richard Buono was born on April 2, 1929 in San Francisco to Trifone and Josephine La Rosa Buono. A first generation American, Gus and his older brother John grew up in the Mission district in a tight knit Italian family who immigrated to the United States from Southern Italy and Sicily. He was an athlete and an artist. A teacher and a coach. Most importantly to him, he was a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, godfather, and friend to so many. Everyone he knew loved him.

With all his gifts and accomplishments he was a rare example of kindness and humility. He was funny and irreverent, loved to tell stories, and was the fittest 95-year-old most of us will ever know – swimming until the very end.

He went to Mission High 1944-1946, where he was a standout three sport athlete in football, basketball, and baseball. All city catcher 1946 and starting HB on Mission High football team. He was inducted into the Mission High Sports Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2008, he was inducted into the San Francisco Prep Hall of Fame with special recognition for his many years in physical education and athletics (1944-1988).

He went to San Francisco State College (1947-1949) and earned a Masters degree and his teaching credential.

He signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers in December 1948. He did his spring training in Vero Beach FL, Billings MO, and Medford OR.

Part of the greatest generation, from there he served in the US Army from 1954 -1956. He had the good fortune to play baseball in Darmstadt, Germany and to travel, seeing family in Italy as the war came to an end and rebuilding had begun.

In 1958 he married Carol McGuire and together they had two children: Ron and Jeanne.

He started teaching at Aptos Junior High, San Francisco in 1956, where so many of his former students remember his approach to calisthenics and were amazed by his athletic ability. He coached a variety of sports and formed a close bond with the other PE teachers there and stayed lifelong friends with several.

From there, he moved to Lowell High School and spent 28 years teaching and coaching and led his teams to numerous Academic Athletic Association titles in baseball, basketball, and tennis, influencing countless students who looked up to him.

During his years teaching, he also served as a football official in the high school and professional ranks. Eventually, he took over running the 30 second clock for the 49ers/NFL and then the game clock, which he ran for 41 years.

He also spent many hours playing tennis, riding his bike, and especially swimming – in the San Francisco Bay daily with his beloved German shorthaired pointer Ginger and Dixie, in Lake Tahoe, at the Elks Club pool in San Mateo where he swam for more than 60 years. With his powerful stroke that carried him for miles and for years, no water was too cold for Gus in his speedo and cap.

He married Dianne Richardson in 1980. She unfortunately passed away from cancer in 1983. In subsequent years, he met Josephine “Jo” Rollinson. They married in 1988 and shared many happy years together traveling the world and entertaining friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, son Ron, and wife Dianne. He is survived by his wife Josephine, daughter Jeanne, and granddaughter Sara (Cameron) Webber. Stepdaughters: Debra Rollinson, sons Thomas (Rose) Bischoff & their children Waverly and Julian. Zac Bischoff, Denise Conner (Bob), daughter Alaina Conner (David) and their children Willow and Wren.

His life will be celebrated on February 14, 2025 at 11am at:

St. Bartholomew's Church

300 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo, CA