Bonnie Susan Herzog, 76, of Wakefield, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, April 19th. She was the beloved wife of Robert Herzog for 53 years. "She was my forever sweetheart," Robert said of the girl he first met in 1970 when both were students at Syracuse University.

Bonnie was a devoted mother to son Jamey Herzog and daughter Allison Herzog Fusco, and adoring grandmother to Julia Herzog (age 10), Leo Fusco (9) and Lyla Fusco (6). "Nothing brought her more joy than the time she spent with her grandkids," Robert said.

Bonnie was born in 1950 in Jersey City, N.J., to her loving parents, the late Harold and Faye (Gold) Friedman. She resided in New Jersey until she married Robert in 1972, and lived most of her adult life in Holbrook, NY, on Long Island, where she was a popular pre-school teacher while Robert was a sports editor and writer for Newsday.

They retired in 2018 and moved to Rhode Island, where her children lived. "Once the grandkids came along, Bonnie insisted we move there," Robert said. "We shared many happy times with them at school events, athletic contests and on vacations."

Bonnie, who graduated with honors from Syracuse (Class of '72), loved gardening, crafting, decorating, music and travel. "Neighbors were always commenting on her colorful flowers," Robert said. "Our home is beautifully filled with her handiwork."

Bonnie was active on the social committee, choir, game and crafting groups, and bowling league at the Herzog's 55+ condominium community, South Shore Village in Wakefield, R.I. "She really loved living here. It's a fantastic place filled with great people," Robert said.

In retirement, Robert and Bonnie enjoyed traveling - together and with friends and family. They journeyed to tropical paradises like Aruba, Cancun and Hawaii (Maui) for their 50th wedding anniversary. "The beach was our happy place," Robert said.

They also traveled to Disney World in Orlando, Fla., and Italy with several SSV neighbors, visiting Venice, Rome, Florence and the Amalfi Coast. They cruised to Alaska with their son's family and, memorably, went to Paris in the spring of 2025 to celebrate their 75th birthdays.

"Bonnie loved Impressionist art and was overjoyed to see Monet's paintings and, especially, his home in Giverny," Robert said. "She was delighted that we walked and took photos on the bridge that is depicted in many of Monet's water lilies paintings." Robert and Bonnie also visited the Louvre, other Paris museums and the palace at Versailles.

Besides her husband, children and grandchildren, Bonnie is survived by daughter-in-law Jennifer Herren Herzog, son-in-law Frank Fusco, sister Stacia Friedman Hill, son-in-law Ernest Hill, brother Andrew Friedman, daughter-in-law Marianne Friedman and brothers-in-law Lawrence and Ronald Herzog.