Attorney Samuel F. Bonavita, 91, of 601 Fourth Avenue, Warren, Pa. died Sunday morning at 12:30 A.M. November 29, 2009 at his residence. He was born December 27, 1917 in Greensburg, Pa., son of the late Frank C. and Maria Berardi Bonavita. The family moved to the Warren area in 1918 where he has lived most of his life. Sam was a 1931 graduate of St. Joseph School and a 1935 graduate of Warren High School. He earned his BA degree in 1940 from the University of Pittsburgh and his Juris Doctorate in 1942. He also attended the University of Vienna (International Law and Criminology), and Northwestern University (Special Prosecutor's Training). He was admitted to practice law in 1943. Sam was a veteran with the U.S. Army during World War II, serving in 1942, he was awarded 5 battle stars for campaigns in Europe and received a battlefield commission to the rank of Lt. After the war, Sam acted as the U.S. War Dept. Claims Commissioner for Austria until 1947. After service to his country, Sam returned to the Warren area serving as Warren Co. District Attorney for 14 years and as Judge of the 37th Judicial District. He served as solicitor for Pleasant and Conewango Townships, the Warren County School District, the North Warren Water Authority, Warren State Hospital Interfaith Chapel, St. Joseph Cemetery Board of Directors, Served as chairman of the Warren Zoning and Planning Commission for Warren's First Master plan, member of the Governor's Justice Commission and served as an instructor for the District Magistrates Association. He was a past president of the Pennsylvania Young Republicans, the State District Attorney's Association, Warren County Bar Association, and the American Justinian Society. He was also the attorney for the Samuel Epstein Scholarship Foundation, member of the board of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Campus and a former board member of Experience Incorporated. Sam was a charter member of the Jaycees, life member of the Warren VFW and the American Legion Post 135, and one of the incorporators of the Hot Stove Little League Baseball. He was a 4th degree member of the Warren Council of the Knights of Columbus and also was a longtime member of their bowling league. He was a life member of the Sons of Italy and a member of St. Joseph R.C. Church. He is survived by his 3 sons John and wife, Cheryl and their children, Saleena, Chris and Nick of Sheffield, Pa., Thomas and his children, Molly and Jeffrey of Warren, Pa., James and his wife Dale of Colorado Springs, Colorado, son-in-law, Socrates Georgeadis and his children Katie and James Georgeadis of Sinking Springs, Pa., several nieces and nephews also survive. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rose Marie Konestoba Bonavita whom he married in 1951, who died September 19, 2006, 1 Daughter Mary Jo Bonavita Georgeadis on June 18, 2009, and 1 daughter-in-law, Holly Sue Linford Bonavita, 3 Brothers Frank C. Bonavita, Charles F. Bonavita and Joseph B. Pace., 1 Sister Frances Bonavita Perry.