Joseph M. Bonelli was born on March 14, 1928, in New York, NY, the youngest of five children of the late Pasquale and Carmela Bonelli. He was raised in the Washington Heights section of Manhattan and graduated from City College there, where he played on the baseball team. After college, Joe taught at the junior high school level for several years in Manhattan until he was drafted into the Army. He first was stationed in Germany and, subsequently, in France where he taught general education to the children of American Army officers. He met his wife, Paule, while stationed and teaching in France, where the couple was married. Upon returning to the United States, Joe and Paule initially settled in Queens, NY, and shortly thereafter moved to Deer Park, NY, and ultimately settled in Hauppauge, NY, where they raised their five children. Joe and Paule moved to Boynton Beach, FL in 2003. Joe taught math at a junior high school in Queens, NY, where he also served as a dean, until his retirement. In Florida, Joe tremendously enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, making daily trips to the swimming pool in his community where he enjoyed both the water and the conversation, and doing his daily jumble and crossword puzzles. He is survived by his loving wife, Paule, his daughter, Christine Hempel and her husband, James, of Malverne, NY, his daughter Colette Bonelli, of Plattsburgh, NY, his daughter Anne Casher and her husband, Richard, of Simsbury, CT, his son, Richard Bonelli and his wife, Laura, of Farmingville, NY, and his son, Paul Bonelli and his wife, Trish, of Roanoke, VA, and eight grandchildren, all of whom loved and cherished him dearly.
Friends may call at the funeral home on Monday, April 6, 2015, from 2:00 – 6:00 pm. A funeral mass will be celebrated 10:00 am Tuesday, April 7, 2015, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, Boynton Beach, with internment to follow at Palm Beach Memorial Park, Lantana.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to:
The Pap Corps
Champions for Cancer Research
3848 FAU Blvd Suite 305
Boca Raton, FL 33431

or to a charity of your choice.