Paul James Bona, III, 53, of Auburn passed away Saturday, April 11, 2026 at University Hospital in Syracuse with his loving fiancé, family and friends by his side.

       Paul was born March 12, 1973 in Auburn to Sylvia A. and Paul J. Bona, Jr. He attended St. Hyacinth’s Catholic School where he served as an altar boy and was a graduate of Auburn High School, Class of ’91. Paul earned his Associate’s degree from Cayuga Community College and his Bachelor’s degree from S.U.N.Y. Oswego.

       At an early age, Paul was introduced to the band Kiss and remained a fan and collector of their memorabilia for his entire life. His love of music led him to playing the guitar, which eventually led him to being Joey DeMaio’s Bass Tech and traveling the world with Manowar.

       Paul’s favorite holiday was Halloween and just like music, his passion took it to next level. Paul had a “Spirit Halloween Superstore” franchise in the Johnson City/Vestal area for several years which was another perfect fit for him. Paul was like the “King of the Castle” in his store and when his friends would bring their children to the store, he would let them get whatever they wanted, his generosity was unmatched. Visiting Paul at his store will remain as one of the happiest memories of Halloween for many young children. His love of Halloween was evident in how he decorated his yard every fall and through the collection of horror movie items that he accumulated through the years.

       Wherever Paul went, whatever Paul did, Paul made friends and left a lasting impression on people. He was most recently employed as the Branch Manager of Cannon Pools and Spas in Auburn. Paul developed a relationship with families as he did with everyone that he came in contact with. They respected him for his honesty and the personal attention he gave them to meet their needs.

       He was a good neighbor, true friend, loyal fiancée and dedicated son to his mother, Sylvia. At a young age when his parents divorced, his mother was everything to him and later in life when his mother became ill, he was everything to her. On the onset of Sylvia’s diagnosis with Parkinson’s Disease and with Paul working out of town, he brought Sylvia with him so he could care for her. No son could have provided better care for their mother as Paul did for Sylvia.

       Paul missed his mother dearly. The love of his fiancé, friends and family was not stronger than the love Paul had for her. His heart was broken until this past Saturday afternoon when Sylvia welcomed Paul home once again.

       Paul will be greatly missed and is survived by his loving fiancé, Kristen Wilzinski; his step-mother, Mary L. Bona; his siblings, Christina Bona, Maria Bona and Christopher Paul (Holly) Bona; nieces and nephews, Addison, Ashton, Alina, JJ, Christian, Caleb and Caden; Kristen’s father, Robert Wilzinski; her siblings, Karen (Ron) Polcovich, Kathleen Welch and Bob (Donna) Wilzinski as well as many close friends. He was predeceased by his paternal grandparents, Paul J. Bona, Sr. and Antoinette J. “Dora” DeAngelis Bona; his maternal grandparents, Walter A. Sroka and Loretta C. Dudek Sroka; his father, Paul J. Bona, Jr. and by his mother, Sylvia A. Sroka Bona.

       A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2026 at St. Hyacinth’s Church, 63 Pulaski St., Auburn. A calling hour will be held at the church Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. prior to the Mass. Paul will be entombed next to his mother at St. Joseph’s Mausoleum. Contributions in Paul’s memory may be made to the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1350 Broadway, Suite 1530, New York, NY 10018 (The Parkinson's Foundation) or to the Michael J. Fox Foundation online at www.michaeljfox.org. Condolences for the family may be shared at www.brownfuneralhomefulton.com.