Obituary: John L. Bonazza Jr., of Meadowlands

John L. “J.B.” Bonazza Jr., 99, of Meadowlands died Saturday March 2, 2013 in Humbert Lane Personal Care Home in Washington with his family by his side.

He was born Jan. 1, 1914 in Santagio, Allegheny County a son of John L. and Louisa Bonazza Sr. He was a lifelong and devoted member of Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal church in Meadowlands, where he served as head usher for many years.

Mr. Bonazza had served with the U.S. Army during World War II in Europe where he was a prisoner of war captured in Italy and interned in Germany. He was last employed at Abex Corp. as a plant guard.

Mr. Bonazza was an avid sports fan and a member of the Fraternal Order of Bears in Meadowlands, the VFW Post 191 in Canonsburg and was a 70-plus year member of the SNPJ Lodge 138 of Strabane.

On Oct. 12, 1946 he married Ida Marie Caumo, who died, Jan. 17, 2009.

Surviving is his son Richard (Joanne) Bonazza of Washington, his granddaughter Leah (Josh) Argento of Castle Shannon, and many nieces and nephews.

Mr. Bonazza was the last of his immediate family.

Deceased in addition to his wife and parents are three brothers, Louis, Frank “Beechie” and Angelo Bonazza.

Friends are welcome from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. Tuesday March 5, 2013 in Salandra Funeral Service, Inc. located at 304 W. Pike Street in Canonsburg, where a blessing service will be held at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday March 6, 2013. The blessing service will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal Church, Meadowlands at 10 a.m. with Rev. Carmen D'Amico, pastor, as celebrant.

Interment will follow in Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters Township.

Full military rites will be accorded by the VFW Post 191 and the American Legion Post 902.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Racetrack Chaplins Assoc. c/o the Meadows Racetrack PO Box 499 Meadowlands, PA 15347.