Joseph J. Bonanno Sr.

Joseph J. Bonanno Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep Dec. 21, 2025, just weeks shy of his 104th birthday. He was born February 16, 1922 in Niles to Michael Bonanno and Teresa Carida Bonanno, both natives of Calabria, Italy.
 

Joe graduated from Niles McKinley High in 1940 and went to serve as a WWII combat field medic under General George Patton. Afterward, Joe returned to Niles and worked in the steel industry until his retirement. At his father’s tailor shop, a young Joe mastered the skills of that trade, and later in life, mastered his mother’s Italian recipes under the direction of his two sisters. Joe spent winters in Arizona with family before making it his residence in 2023.

In addition to two siblings lost to complications at birth, Joe was preceded in death by his brothers John (Millie) Bonanno of Chicago and Tony Bonanno of Cleveland; his sisters Elynore (Mathew) Lecursi of Niles and Delores (Joseph) Portale of Warren; and by Patricia Cervone Bonanno (2023) and Blanche Bianco Bonanno (2005).

Joe is survived by his sons, Garry (Traci) Bonanno of Sharon and Joseph Bonanno of Phoenix; his grandson, Justin Nardo of Phoenix; and his daughter-in-law, Toni Bonanno of Phoenix. As a grandfather, uncle, and cousin, Joe held a deep love for his extended family across all branches of his family tree. His long life afforded him the opportunity to form close and lasting relationships spanning multiple generations.

Joe’s warmth and kindness extended beyond immediate family to his many lifelong friends who hailed from his hometown of Niles--Shelby, Ralph, Jim, George, Cathie, Paul, Robert (2024), Anna Marie-as well as to his Arizona family (Pietro, Eric), and the devoted caregivers at Advanced Clinical Associates, Foundation for Senior Living, Hospice of the Valley and Scottsdale Village Square, who brought comfort and companionship to his later years.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at St. Pope John XXIII, St. Stephen Campus. The family asks that everyone go directly to church on Monday. Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at the Holloway-Williams Funeral home & Cremation Service, 611 Robbins Ave., Niles, Ohio, 330-652-2422. Entombment will be at Pineview Memorial Park.

Visit www.hollowaywilliamsfuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Joe’s family.

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