In loving memory of

Joseph Bondi
October 18, 1932 - September 10, 2020

Joe was born in San Jose, CA to Joseph and Josephine. He was the first of six children followed by Virginia, Nancy, Richard, Ronald and Dennis.
He grew up in San Jose. He enlisted in the Marine Corps and fought in the Korean War. Upon returning from the war he continued his education at San Jose City College and then on to San Jose State College. He graduated with a degree in Physical Education. He met the love of his life, Ruth Martin and they married in January of 1956. Joe and Ruth had 4 children, Bruce, Dianne, Jeff and Doug.
Joe coached high school football for 34 years. He was loved by his players and was still called “Coach” wherever he went. His lifelong love of football extended to college football and his beloved 49ers. He spent his retired years, with family, playing golf and watching sports on TV.
He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Italian Catholic Federation
He was preceded in death by his wife Ruth, son Doug, second wife Kathleen, sister Virginia, and brothers Dennis, Ron & Richard.
Joe is survived by children – Bruce (Tracy), Dianne (Mike), Jeff (Twila), daughter in law Michelle, sister – Nancy, grandchildren – Ariane (Eric), Dana (Trevor), Giona (Michael), Merissa (Steven), Celeste, Bryce, Austin (Rachel), Jae and Joe, and 4 Great Grandchildren

Tributes

ryan broddrick wrote on Jan 22, 2021:

"Random goggle thinking of those who made a difference. Way late but thanks for all he did. It did make a difference"

Cameron Woo wrote on Oct 15, 2020:

"Mr. Bondi was a good man and treated people fairly my older brother had Mr. Bondi for P.E., and in the fall of 1969, he called out to my brother, "Hey, Woo, some of your brothers and sisters got together last month at Woodstock!" Everybody had a good laugh. My brother was not an athlete and was considered a "longhair" but Mr. Bondi was able to joke with him and treated him as knowingly as he did me one who was jock and played for Coach Bondi on the last varsity football team he coached. I always appreciated his sense of humor, he never took himself too seriously which not all coaches can claim. I got to know Mr. Bondi during my last year at LBHS, when he would chaperone or drive us to and from league student government meetings. I like him as a person and found him to be very thoughtful, interesting and brave, as he rescued an injured driver on one trip. My condolences go out to his family and to his children. I hope Coach enjoyed the second half of his life, he certainly deserved to."

James Pimental wrote on Oct 8, 2020:

"Dear Bondi Family, So sorry about the loss of your dad. He was my freshman football coach. He was a good coach. I liked seeing him around school."

harry fawcett wrote on Sep 19, 2020:

"Always Coach or Mr. Bondi. Made my life better. A friend really. Sorry with his passing. Such a good man."

Richard Nunes wrote on Sep 16, 2020:

"Great coach and man..RIP Joe."

Geoffrey Sparks wrote on Sep 16, 2020:

"To the Bondi Family, we are so sorry for your loss. Please know that you are in our thoughts and in our hearts. Jeff and Judy Sparks"

robert arambel wrote on Sep 16, 2020:

"Joe was a great guy both on the field and off. I played under him, Don Toscano, and Herb Himmerich in the mid to late 70s. I returned to Los Banos High School in the late 80s as a custodian and then teacher. Joe always showed respect to me regardless of my position in life. I also know how he contributed to the less fortunate with any help he could provide. If he hadnt seen you in awhile his line was always whats your story, and the fact that he really cared. Rest In Peace Joe, Robert Arambel"

Albert Camarillo wrote on Sep 16, 2020:

"Joe touched many lives as a coach, father, friend to lots of people in our community. Many of us baby boomers were taught discipline and how to respect others. As we reflect back, it matters not how we rated as a team, he mentored us to be decent human beings, how to get along with each other's positives and negatives that we carried as teens. He always carried and greeted us with that wonderful smile. God bless him...God bless his family"

Marcus D Atkinson wrote on Sep 15, 2020:

"Goodness, where do I start? Joe was so kind and had a smile that would either light up the room or make you wonder what you had done wrong. :grimacing::grimacing::grimacing:. My memories of this amazing man have always been good ..and up beat. I remember him always doing sit ups in the weight room on the incline bench, wearing some kind of plastic suit so he could swear more. He was very good and kind to me always. Throughout the 45 years I've been away from Los Banos, I have always thought about him, his family and how he ways spending his life. I am extremely proud to have known him."