Edward J. Bonaccorsi (1925-2015) graduated from Samuel Gorton High School in Warwick, then enlisted as an Aviation Cadet in May, 1943. Failing a pilot medical, he became a mechanic, qualifying in both the B-24 Liberator and the B-29 Stratofortress. He served with the 40th Bombardment Squadron, and spent six months on Tinian Island as the war ended. (Enola Gay was one of the aircraft in this unit, although he was not involved with the final raids of the war.)

He studied civil engineering at Indiana Institute of Technology, and was called back to active duty during the Korean War, serving stateside. He worked for both Campanella & Cardi and Tilcon Gammino construction companies before retiring.

During his career as a civil engineer he helped to design and build roadways throughout Rhode Island, Southern Massachusetts, Cape Cod, into Connecticut and even as far north as Maine. He was also  involved in the design and paving of runways at Otis Air Force Base.