Clement 'Sonny' Gionti

Mr. Clement 'Sonny' Gionti, 76, of 10764 Perry Hwy., Meadville, passed away Thursday, December 17th, 2009 at Hamot Medical Center, Erie.
Sonny was born in Meadville on October 29, 1933, a son of the late Joseph and Madeline M. (Euliano) Jones.
On September 5, 1955 Sonny married Thomasina Josephine Rinella; she survives.
From 1982-1994 Sonny co-owned and operated the former Mark Anthony Restaurant, Titusville, where it was known for its delicious Italian entrees. Following his retirement as foreman from Conrail Railroad, where he had been employed for 17 years, he traveled doing maintenance work for Perkins Restaurants. In his earlier years he had been employed as foreman by Frontier Homes, the former Krygentics, the former Baron Hardware, as a mechanic for the Ford Garage, Westinghouse and the former American Viscose. As a young boy his first job was as a pin setter for the former Center Bowling Lanes and as a 14 year old, he was the starting pitcher for his team in the Mens Softball League. Following his 1950 graduation from Meadville High School, Sonny went on to serve his country as a veteran of the US Army during the Korean Conflict from May 26, 1953 until his honorable discharge on May 12, 1955. He was a member of St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, Meadville, the Italian Civic Club (ICC) and a former member of the Meadville Sertoma Club. Blessed with many talents, Sonny will be remembered as a skilled woodworker, an excellent cook and baker. One of his greatest enjoyments came from cooking and entertaining family and friends at his home.
In addition to his wife Josephine of 54 years, Sonny is survived by five children Joseph Gionti and his wife Aliesa of Tidioute, Mark Gionti at home, James Gionti and his wife Teresa of Saegertown, Michael Gionti and his wife Susan of Meadville, Toni Marie Sampson and her husband Doug of Titusville, ten grandchildren Dominic Gionti, James Gionti, Michael Gionti, Gianina Gionti, Maria Gionti, Italia Gionti, Olivia Gionti, Anthony Gionti, Abrianna Sampson, Elijah Sampson, two sisters Carmella Fischer and her husband Frank of Meadville, Anna Ferguson of Greenville, a brother John Gionti and his wife Joyce of Meadville, several nieces, nephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, Sonny was preceded in death by a son Anthony 'Tony' Gionti, twin granddaughters Lucia and Maria Gionti.
Family and friends are invited to call on Sunday from 3-8 at Stephen P. Mizner Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 404 Chestnut St., Meadville, PA 16335 where a scripture service will be conducted at (TIME).
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 1085 Water St., Meadville, at 10:00 AM on Monday, December 21st, with Fr. Richard J. Toohey, Pastor, officiating.
Interment will take place in St. Brigid Cemetery, West Mead Twp.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary of Grace Roman Catholic Church, 1085 Water St., Meadville, PA 16335.
Share your condolences at miznerfuneralhome@zoominternet.net