Jerome Edward Colonna

Published 9:53 am Wednesday, May 29, 2024

Jerome Edward Colonna

July 28, 1944 – May 6, 2024

Jerome Edward Colonna, lifelong educator, former school superintendent, and Oregon education advocate died on May 6th, 2024 surrounded by family and friends. Jerry, born in Glendale CA in 1944 to James and Lorraine Colonna, lived a life of service to students, teachers/faculty, public education administrators and athletes. He was preceded in death by his son, Justin Anthony Colonna (d. 1999) and is survived by his wife, Linda (Bo) Bonotto, his sister, Linda Bushnell, his daughter, Ann Colonna and his grandson, Warren Stephenson.

Humble beginnings gained focus when Jerry attended Oregon State University (OSU). While there, he made enduring friendships and discovered a passion for education, teaching and athletics. Jerry received his bachelor’s degree in education from OSU in 1966 and went on to earn advanced degrees from OSU, Portland State University and the University of Oregon.

Jerry returned to California as a newlywed, with his wife Susan Norton, to begin his teaching career, but soon after found his way back to Oregon where he taught and coached at both Corvallis and Crescent Valley High Schools. In 1981, he moved his family to the small Tlingit community of Kake, Alaska for one year to teach and coach. As much as he enjoyed teaching, leadership roles in school administration beckoned. Jerry went on to hold the role of Assistant to the Superintendent in the Corvallis School District, Director of Secondary Education in the Eugene School District, Superintendent of the Redmond School District, and finally Superintendent of the Beaverton School District, where he retired in 2011. During his time at Beaverton, Jerry mentored many of the superintendents in the 20 district ESD region and was instrumental in turning that region into a major positive influencer in the state.

Jerry found his work extremely satisfying and his passion for serving students, teachers and administrators kept him active until his passing. He consulted for school districts across Oregon, mentoring new superintendents, assisting with strategic planning efforts, and actively participating as the Director of the New Superintendents Academy with the Coalition of Oregon School Administrators (COSA). He served on the Oregon State Board of Education from 2014-22. In 2001, Jerry was awarded Oregon Superintendent of the Year. He received an Alumni Fellows Award from OSU and the Distinguished Alumnus and William Worrell Mentorship awards from the U of O. The Oregon Department of Education awarded Jerry their Distinguished Service Award for Educational Leadership. In April 2024, Jerry was awarded the first COSA Lifetime Achievement Award, which was also named in his honor. In a room full of Oregon superintendents, Jerry was given a standing ovation that lasted several minutes as news of this award was shared with his colleagues. His guidance, leadership and financial support for superintendent mentorship will strengthen the profession for decades to come.

Jerry’s passion for improving educational outcomes was matched by his love of athletics. He was a fierce competitor and passed that trait along to his children and grandchild, all of whom he loved to watch compete. At OSU, he tried out for the track team, but didn’t make the cut. Undeterred and determined to compete, he played rugby and rowed crew for OSU. As a young teacher he continued to compete as an amateur and began coaching cross-country and track. He is still remembered fondly by many of his former athletes around the state. He was an avid fan of both OSU and Oregon’s athletic teams, but neither surpassed his love for Notre Dame who, along with the St. Louis Cardinals were his all-time favorites.

Jerry remarried in 2008 to Linda (Bo) Bonotto. Bo shared his love of fly fishing, bicycling, world-travel and especially sitting down to a good meal with family and friends. From their beautiful home base in Bend they shared many adventures around Oregon and across the U.S., Europe, Africa and South America.

Reflecting on his life shortly before he passed, Jerry said that his 57 years of educational service brought him deep satisfaction, noting that service for others is one of the deepest and best callings in life. Over the last 25 years, he worked with several organizations in Central Oregon to help end the root causes of poverty. His perspective, guidance, and work are greatly admired and appreciated by family, friends, and generations of teachers and administrators, students, and athletes. Jerry was an extremely caring, kind and thoughtful individual who always prioritized others before himself. He is quoted as saying,” I just want to make my little corner of the world better than when I found it.” As one person said, “he was a one of a kind treasure.” Words cannot express how dearly he is missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider acts of service to your local school district or donations to the following organizations: 1) the local hospice organization “Partners In Care” for which Jerry started a new fund to assist families after the loss of a child, 2) “The Jerome Colonna Superintendent Mentoring Fund”, which was established in 2020 by Jerry himself in recognition of the intense need for superintendents to have strong coaching and mentoring. Prior to Jerry’s passing, he made another significant contribution to the fund and shared his wishes that the fund continue to provide support to superintendents.

The COSA Foundation EIN is 93-0922086. Contributions should be made out to the COSA Foundation and sent to 707 13th Street SE, Suite 100, Salem, OR 97301 c/o Dr. Krista Parent with the memo “The Jerome Colonna Mentoring Fund” and made out to the COSA Foundation.