Joseph Bongo, 84, passed away Sunday, July 6, 2008, at Vivian Teal Howard Nursing Home. A lifelong resident of Syracuse, he was a 1949 graduate of Syracuse University. While at Syracuse University, he was a member of the boxing team that won the Eastern Collegiate Championship several times. He was a member of the Orange Key Society, Varsity Club, Syracuse University Alumni Club, Zeta Psi Fraternity, Italian American Athletic Club (IAAC) and Solvay-Geddes Veterans. Joe was a WWII Navy veteran. He served on the USS Kenton in the Pacific. He enjoyed a reunion with his Navy buddies every year. Joe retired after 33 years as an educator. He was the principal of Madison School, Shea Jr. High in Syracuse and Durgee Jr. High in Baldwinsville. He also taught graduate education courses at Columbia University, Rutgers University and SUNY at New Paltz, NY. He co-authored a book entitled "Continuous Progress, a non-graded approach." Joe also was the director of Bradley Brook summer camp for the Jewish Community Center. He was often referred to as a principal's principal. Joe was predeceased by his sister, Christine Anthony. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Dolores (Barton) Bongo; one daughter, Patricia (Ben) Gage of San Diego, CA; two sons, James (Betsy) Bongo of Winterville, NC, and Brian Bongo of Syracuse; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; and one sister, Theresa (Bongo) Scuderi of Liverpool. Funeral services will be 12:15 p.m. Thursday, from PIRRO & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Park Street, and 1 p.m. in St. Charles Borromeo Church, 417 South Orchard Road. Burial in Onondaga County Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Friends may call Wednesday from 4 to 7 p.m. at PIRRO & SONS FUNERAL HOME, 1500 Park Street. In lieu of floral donations, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons Street, East Syracuse, NY 13057.
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Published in the Syracuse Post Standard on 7/8/2008.