Joseph E. Bonatti, 75, of Northford passed away peacefully on Friday, April 7, 2017 at Yale-New Haven Hospital with his family by his side. He was the beloved husband of 47 years to Sandra Bubb Bonatti. Joseph was born in New Haven on December 13, 1941; son of the late Michael A. and Sylvia Cocorullo Bonatti; served his country faithfully in the U.S. Army; had worked as a Letter Carrier for the US Postal Service for over 40 years until his retirement and was a proud member of the National Association of Letter Carriers.  Joseph was a true family man, he supported them in all their endeavors and loved them all unconditionally; was an avid gardener, especially growing his tomatoes; enjoyed playing the lotto and following the stock market; was a member of the Community Center Gym of Northford; was a lifelong New York Yankees and Giants fan;.  Father of Craig (Amy) Bonatti, Christine Bonatti and Michael (Tambra) Bonatti.  Grandfather of Justin, Mia, Emily and Carlie Bonatti.  Brother of John (Suzanne) Bonatti, Michael (Barbara) Bonatti, Dorothy (Peter) Czaplicki  and many loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother James Fitzmaurice and nephews John Joseph Bonatti, and Peter Czaplicki.

His funeral procession will leave the North Haven Funeral Home, 36 Washington Avenue Wednesday morning at 9:30.  A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated in St. Monica Church at 10:00.  Interment with full military honors will follow in St. Lawrence Cemetery. The visiting hours will be Tuesday from 4 to 8 pm.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Joseph E. Bonatti can be made to the Closer to Free Fund, which jointly supports Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven and Yale Cancer Center, P.O. Box 1849, New Haven, CT 06508.