Joseph Mario Bonatti
March 30, 1929 – June 6, 2021
Obituary for Joseph Mario Bonatti
Joseph “Joe” Bonatti of Garland, Texas passed away June 6, 2021, at the age of 92. Service will be held at 10 AM Tuesday, June 15, 2021, at Wildwood Chapel – Restland Funeral Home.
Joe was born to Italian immigrants on March 30, 1929 in Freeport, Pennsylvania. He was a devout Catholic who grew up as an altar boy and member of the church choir. He was a member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Richardson, Texas for over 40 years.
Joe married Mary (May) Bernadette O’Connor, on October 15, 1960 in Dublin, and had 6 children. They were married for 52 years when May passed away May 25, 2012.
Joe was a proud veteran. He was drafted into the Army during the Korean War where he served for 2 years, then he enlisted in the Air Force and retired after 20+ years, serving in France, Germany, Spain, Morocco, the Marshall Islands, The Philippines, and Vietnam. He received numerous awards and medals but was most proud of his Air Force Commendation Medal for his service in Vietnam. The Bonatti family moved back to the US and settled in San Antonio in 1969, after which Joe retired from the Air Force in 1974. He then went on to work for the US Post office in 1976 and relocated to the Dallas area where he retired after 17 years.
He received his business degree from Durham College and also attended New Mexico State University and St. Mary’s University.
Joe loved sports including baseball, football, basketball, and softball. He played in high school and in the military. He also coached and managed teams in the military as well as his son’s baseball teams. Some of his favorite teams were the Dallas Mavericks, Texas Rangers, and Pittsburg Steelers. He could tell you statistics, records, and everything you ever wanted to know about baseball, football and basketball, teams, players, etc. He also loved to watch his kids grandkids play, cheer, act or perform. He loved hearing about their games and events when he became unable to attend, and took great pride in their accomplishments. He also loved that their athletic abilities and hustle were passed on from him. Joe even loved to write about sports (and just write in general). He was a sports reporter in the military. He was ecstatic that some of his children and grandchildren shared his love for writing.
Joe was an awesome provider for his family who never missed acknowledging birthday’s, weddings and anniversaries, graduations, holidays, etc. — even those special dates for distant relatives and friends. He was the most generous man you would ever meet. He loved to play Bingo, and would even share his winnings.
He was a natural born leader and believed in speaking up, working hard, doing your best, and making wise decisions. He loved to sing. After Mary passed away in 2012, Joe moved to assisted living and continued being a leader. He was a resident representative advocate, and led exercises and sing-a-longs.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Bonatti; parents, Roberto and Lucia Bonatti; brothers, John, Leno, Cyprian, Albert and Tom; sisters, Emily Bonatti, Corrina Picanzo, Pearl Gallagher, and Betty Limberg; sons-in-law, Terry Breen and Gary Austin; and granddaughter, Kiley Breen.
Joe (Dad, Daddy, Grandpa) leaves behind a lasting legacy in his survivors: son, Vincent Bonatti and (fiancé) Kirsten Duffey; daughters, Bernadette Breen, Maria Garrison and husband Jackie, Linda Manning and husband Rick, Sharon Newton and husband John, and Kathleen Austin; 14 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; several nieces and nephews; as well as special friends, Mastie Bekele, Mimi Tefera, Missy Tekelmariam, Jackie Chavez, Norma Turcio; and the staff at Abba Care Assisted Living.
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Upcoming Events
Funeral
JUN 15. 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM (CST)
Restland Wildwood Chapel
13005 Greenville Ave
Dallas, TX 75243
Committal Services
JUN 15. 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM (CST)
Restland Memorial Park
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75243
Cemetery Details
Restland Memorial Park
13005 Greenville Avenue
Dallas, TX 75243
