Bonovitz

Joseph Bonovitz, 58, of West Deer Township died Saturday at UPMC Shadyside Hospital, Pittsburgh.

Born Dec. 31, 1948, in New Kensington, he lived in the West Deer area all of his life and was a 1966 graduate of West Deer High School.

He was an Army sergeant in the Vietnam War and received numerous badges and medals including the Vietnam Service Medal with two Bronze Service Stars, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart and the Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm.

Upon returning to the West Deer area, he was an automobile reconditioner for more than 40 years and had worked at Central Motors in Hampton Township and most recently at Lyndora Motors, where he retired July 2006.

Mr. Bonovitz was a life member of the Rural Ridge Volunteer Fire Department, where he operated the Jeff Allen Oldies Dance for the past 30 years. He was an avid golfer and was a member of the Rose Ridge Friday Night Golf League.

He loved playing cards, traveling to the Caribbean and most of all being "Papa Joe" to his grandchildren. He also was a hard worker, knew how to relax and was very helpful to everyone.

Survivors include his beloved wife of eight years, Dorothy J. Montgomery Bonovitz; daughters, Melissa J. "Missy" Bonovitz of Las Vegas, and Christine M. "Chrissy" Bonovitz of Pittsburgh; stepchildren Shauna (Charles) Brown of West Deer Township, Brandon (Shelly) Miller of Lower Burrell and Dr. Justin (Amy) Miller of Butler Township; and grandchildren Kendall and Camryn Brown and Autumn and Benjamin Miller.

He also is survived by his sisters, Judith Harter of Columbus, Ohio, and Carol (William) Walker of Penns Grove, N.J.

<B>BONOVITZ </B>— Friends of Joseph Bonovitz, who died Saturday, Jan. 20, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>SIWICKI-YANICKO FUNERAL HOME</B>, 23 McKrell Road, Russellton, West Deer Township.Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.Private burial will follow.Memorial contributions may be made to the Billman Cancer Center, 5115 Centre Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15232.