Sept. 19, 1940—Nov. 4, 2009

Pasquale Bonito, who served as a Buffalo police officer for 33 years, died Wednesday in his Lancaster home after a lengthy illness. He was 69.

Born in Buffalo, Mr. Bonito was a lifelong resident of Western New York. He attended Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary School and Lafayette High School.

Mr. Bonito joined the police force on Nov. 30, 1961, and retired on Oct. 3, 1994. He served in the Army Military Police from November 1963 to November 1965.

He was a member of the Buffalo Police Department Erie Club and the International Police Association, and was a charter member of the Italian American Police Association.

He also was a former president of the Buffalo Police Desk Lieutenant Association and a member of the Pulaski Police Association, WNY Association of Retired Police, Police Benevolent Association and the Buffalo Bisons Booster Club.

Survivors include his wife, the former Christine M. Moore; two daughters, Diane L. Kuciel and Katherine R.; and two sisters, Mary Louise Leyendecker and Theresa Marie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a. m. Saturday in Resurrection Catholic Church, Union Road and Como Park Boulevard, Cheektowaga. Prayers will be said at 9:15 in Kloc Blossom Chapel, 4680 Clinton St., West Seneca.