Joseph W. Bonacci, 61 YOUNGSTOWN - Prayers will begin at 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman followed by a Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by the Rev. Kevin Peters at 1 p.m. at St. Brendan Church in Youngstown for Joseph W. Bonaci, 61, who passed away Sunday morning with his loving family by his side. Joseph was born Oct. 17, 1947 in Sharon, Pa., a son of Joseph C. and Maria Spadafora Bonacci. Joseph was a 1966 graduate of Farrell High School and attended the University of Hawaii, and graduated from the Police Academy. Joseph worked at Westinghouse, State of Ohio Investigations, Mahoning County Sheriff Department, Youngstown State Police Department, Oakland Police Department in Florida and retired from the Youngstown Police Department. He started the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Seminar, being taught nationally, he also authored the "Officer Survival During High Risk Situations, co-founded the nationally acclaimed nonprofit child safety program, "Somebody Cares," taught at rape crisis centers nationally and was president for four years of the Police Self-Defense Instructors. Joseph was a State Certified Police Instructor and went worldwide to teach including Russia and Spain. He was a member of the church and was a former member of St. Anthony and St. Edward Churches. A devote Catholic, he instilled his faith to his family and had a special devotion to St. Joseph and had a unconditional love and respect for everyone he met. He served his country valiantly in the U.S. Army, serving in Vietnam, obtaining the rank of Sgt., where he was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal with five oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation with five oak leaf clusters. Joseph achieved in martial arts between combat tours, the prestigious titles of 1969 "All Okinawa Karate Champion of 1970" and "All Japanese Karate Champion." He conducted the first kickboxing tournament on ESPN at South High Field House in 1977. Joseph was a member of the F.O.P. Lodge 28, United States Karate Association, the United States Karate Federation, Buckeye Sheriff's Association, International Counter Terrorism Association, Ohio Private Detectives and Security Associations, Greater Crime Clinic of Youngstown, Stunt Masters of America, Screen Actors Guild, Federation of United Martial Arts Against Crime, and a founder of the American Institute of Martial Arts. He also received several special awards, a 10th degree Black Belt in Karate, 7th degree Black Belt in JuJitsu, 2nd degree Black Belt in Judo, and was inducted in the Karate Hall of Fame in 1987. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, the former Kathleen L. Devlin, whom he married Jan. 16, 1971; two sons, Ryan Michael Bonacci of Newport News, Va. and Christopher Michael Bonacci and his fiancee, Shawna Pagani, whom he is marrying on Sept. 26; a brother, Pete (Mary) Bonacci of Hermitage, Pa.; a sister, Josephine Arcuri of Farrell, Pa.; three grandchildren, Sammantha Bonacci, Christian Bonacci and Serena Grenga-Bonacci; several nieces and nephews; and he was especially close to his brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Louis Devlin, Sharon Blosser-Reed, Sean Devlin, Malin Peters and Rev. Kevin Peters. Besides his parents, Joseph was preceded in death by a brother, Anthony Bonacci; three sisters, Angeline Johnson, Theresa Fleet and infant, Angela; his father-in-law, Edward H. Peters; and mother-in-law, Mary L. Peters. Friends may call from 4 to 8 Tuesday at the Fox Funeral Home in Boardman. In lieu of flowers, material contributions can be made of Bonacci Tuition Fund at Diocese of Youngstown Credit Union, 1500 Gypsy Lane, Youngstown, OH 44505 in Joseph's memory.