Joseph Bonaventura

BONAVENTURA, JOSEPH, CHIEF, NORTH PROVIDENCE DEPARTMENT, RETIRED. 88, of Birchwood Drive, former North Providence Police Chief, died on February 29 at Rhode Island Hospital with his son and family by his side. He was the husband of the late Mary (Carcieri) Bonaventura.

He was born in Providence on January 18, 1920, the son of Giovanni and Vincenza (Testa) Di Bonaventura.

He was a graduate of Central High School. He was an Army Veteran of World War II.

Shortly after being discharged from the service, he joined the North Providence Police Department. He was a thirty year veteran of the department. He was elevated to the rank of chief in 1967 a position that he held until 1971. While on the police force, he attended many police related courses and seminars such as the Northwestern University Traffic Institute, a course on criminalistics at URI, and at Babson College a course on Police Department Management. He was responsible for instituting the North Providence Police School.

In 1971, he became the Chief of Security for the New England Laborer's Academy in Hopkinton, MA, until his retirement in 1986.

Mr. Bonaventura enjoyed motorcycling in the 1930s and 40s. He was a member of the Jessie Roamers Motorcycle Club and traveled extensively throughout the USA.

In 1936 he became an airplane pilot. In 1939 through the generosity of Jesse H. Metcalf, he received a scholarship to the Dallas Air College. Upon completion of a six month course, he received a commercial pilot's license. He piloted his own plane for 70 years. His piloting helped in the capture of several robbers and convicts, most notably in the late 1940s with the capture of robbers of the Cranston Loan Company and in the late 50s with the capture of escaped convicts from the Adult Correctional Institution. For many years he was responsible for dropping wreaths from his plane, on the various war memorials throughout the town.

He was the founder and president of the ROMEOS of Rhode Island, a member of the Laborer's International Union of North America-Local 271, the Rotary Club of North Providence, Sons of Italy-Loggia Vittoria, the Holy Name Society of St. Anthony Church, St. Lawrence Knights of Columbus, the UCT, the RI Pilots Association, the OX-5 Flying Club of America, the RI and New England Police Chief Associations, the North Providence Police and Firefighters Org., a charter member of FOP Lodge No. 13, the Italian American War Veterans, AMVETS Post 9 and the Providence Gridiron Club.

He was a devoted husband to his late wife Mary, and dedicated father to his son John. He was a generous and caring man who truly loved his family and friends.

He leaves his son John J. Bonaventura with whom he resided, a brother Domenic of Smithfield, Rocco of Johnston and a sister Amelia Mancini of North Providence. He was the brother of the late Peter, Giovanni, Antonio and Assunta Di Bonaventura. He also leaves a companion Gertrude Bridge of Clearwater, Florida.

Calling hours Tuesday 4-8 P.M., in the A.A. MARIANI & SON Funeral Home, 200 Hawkins St., Providence. Funeral Wednesday at 8:45 A.M., with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 10 A.M., in St. Anthony Church, 1413 Mineral Spring Ave., North Providence. Burial in St. Francis Cemetery, Pawtucket. In lieu of flowers, donations to: The Dr. Robert F. Roberti Scholarship Fund, c/o Rhode Island Foundation, 1 Union Station, Providence, RI 02903. WWW.MARIANIANDSON.COM.