Joseph J. Bonanno Sr. 1922-2025
NILES — Joseph J. Bonanno Sr. passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, just weeks shy of his 104th birthday.
He was born Feb. 16, 1922, in Niles, to Michael Bonanno and Teresa Carida Bonanno, both natives of Calabria, Italy.
Joe graduated from Niles McKinley High School in 1940 and served 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, he 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 Patricia Cervone Bonanno (2023) and Blanche Bianco Bonanno (2005).
Joe is survived by his sons, Garry (Traci) Bonanno of Sharon, Pa., and Joseph Bonanno; his grandson, Justin Nardo; and his daughter-in-law, Toni Bonanno, all 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 his immediate family to his many lifelong friends who hailed from his hometown of Niles: Shelby, Ralph, Jim, George, Cathie, Paul and Robert (2024), and Anna Marie; as well as to his Arizona family, Pietro and 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 11 a.m., Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, at St. Pope John XXIII-St. Stephen Church, Niles. The family asks that everyone go directly to church on Monday.
Family and friends may call 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at Holloway-Williams Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 611 Robbins Ave., Niles, OH 44446, 330-652-2422.
Entombment will be in Pineview Memorial Park.
Visit www.hollowaywilliamsfuneralhome.com to view this obituary and send condolences to Joe’s family.
(special notice)