Arthur V. Bonessa, age 92, of Masontown, PA passed away peacefully after a lengthy illness on Thursday May 8, 2014 at home surrounded by his faithful and loving family. Art was born on May 27, 1921, son of Joseph and Enrichetta (Tinoly) Bonessa.

In addition to his parents, Art was predeceased by his brother Alfred and his sister Rita Organt.

Art was a proud life-long resident of Masontown. He was an honored veteran of World War II, having served in the Army Air Corps. He landed in Normandy during D-Day operations and saw action at the Battle of the Bulge and other operations. He was a loyal member of the UMWA, serving in a number of elective capacities; a founding officer of the Little Knights; community volunteer; and avid fan of local and Pittsburgh sports teams through their good years and bad; and a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather and Nonno.

He is survived by Josephine (Sierzega), his loving wife of 67 years; his brother Bruno of Chicago, IL; his son Dennis (Bernadine ) Pittsburgh; daughters Carol (the late John) McCarthy, Boston, MA and Indian Wells, CA; Lorraine (Lee) Smithburger, Lemont Furnace; Diane (Chuck) Vaccaro, McClellandtown; Joanne Bonessa, Masontown; and Rita Jean (Paul) Mahoney, Denver. He is also survived by ten grandchildren: Dirk and Andrew Bonessa, Charles Bonessa Gray, Erin and Brent Vaccaro, Forrest and Hunter Dougan, Caroline, Luke and Mariah Mahoney, a greatgrandson Dylan Vaccaro, and many nieces and nephews.

A special thank you to Dr. Lori Bigi, whose care and concern enabled him to enjoy extra years with his family. A sincere thank you for the loving care provided by the aides and nurses from Amedisys Hospice and his special caregivers, Geri, Patty, Joyce and the "night guy", Ghostbuster Scott. Also a heartfelt thank you to Verna Sevec for being a special friend to Art and Jo all these years.

Friends will be received in the Haky Funeral Home, Inc. 515 N. Main St., Masontown, PA on Sunday May 11, 2014 from 2 to 8 PM and Monday May 12, until 9:30 am when Prayers of Transfer will be held, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 am at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Masontown with Rev. Father William G. Berkey as celebrant.
Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery Masontown, PA. Military honors will be accorded by Faith-Gray-McArdle VFW Post 4584 and The Fort Mason American Legion Post 423.
Memorial donations may be made to The Arthur V. Bonessa Frosty Run Memorial Fund (P. O. Box 195, McClellandtown, PA 15458) for a memorial honoring the heroic efforts of Art and his fellow rescue team members during the explosion at the Frosty Run Shaft of the Robena Mine Complex on December 6, 1962.