Joseph P. Bitonti, 85, of Belle Vernon, died Monday, June 30, 2014, at 11:12 a.m. at Hillside Manor, Uniontown. Born Oct. 5, 1928, in Belle Vernon, he was the son of the late Salvatore "Samuel" and Mary Spina Bitonti. A lifelong resident of Belle Vernon, Mr. Bitonti was a member of St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church, and was a retired Speech Language Pathologist from Intermediate Unit 1, California, Pa. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army and member of the Belle Vernon American Legion Post 659, VFW Belle Vernon Post 699. He is survived by nieces and nephews, Joanne and Philip Savini of Uniontown, Captain John J. and wife, Karen Adametz of Gulf Port, Miss., Paul T. and Trina Adametz of Seven Fields, Michael Bitonti of South Carolina, Brian and Kathleen Dixson of North Carolina, Rich and Tracey Lower of Virginia, Robert and Marie Smith of Findlay, Ohio, Thomas Bitonti of North Carolina, Dianna and Steve Carpenter of Edenboro; great-nieces and nephews, Dominique Savini, P.J. Savini, J. Spencer Adametz, Steven Adametz, Matthew Adametz, Matthew Dixon and Sean Dixon. He was preceded in death by three brothers, Paul Bitonti, Frank Bitonti, and Samuel Bitonti Jr.; and a sister, Anna M. Adametz. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. at the PARZYNSKI FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATIONS, Family Owned and Operated, 626 Broad Ave., Belle Vernon, 724-929-6183. Prayer service will be held Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home followed by funeral Mass at 10 a.m. at St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church with the Rev. Msgr. Roger A. Statnick, pastor as celebrant. Interment will take place in Belle Vernon Cemetery. Members of St. Sebastian parish will pray the rosary for the departed soul of Joseph Bitonti Wednesday at 3 p.m. and the Belle Vernon American Legion will conduct services Wednesday evening at 7 p.m., both in the funeral home. Condolences accepted at the funeral home's website, http://www.parzynskifuneralhome.com.

(Pittsburgh Tribune Review 7/1/2014)