Joseph G. DeBono, who grew up in Amityville and graduated its schools, died May 22, 2007 at Bay Pines VA Health Care System in St. Petersburg, Florida. He was 76 years old.

Born in Brooklyn, he spent his youth attending St. Martin's school in Amityville and graduated from Amityville High School before moving to Riverhead and finally St. Petersburg, Florida in 1961. For many years he worked as a draftsman at Babcock & Wilcox and in sales for Spring Systems, both in Florida.

He was a proud Navy veteran of the Korean and Vietnam wars and was an American Legion member. He was also a Tin Can Sailor and a founder of the Crystal Island Cruising Club. According to his wife he loved to fish, sail and waterski.

Mr. DeBono leaves behind his wife of 49 years, Roberta; his daughters, Ronnice Corbitt and Laura Nardozzi of Florida; his siblings: Manny and Dorothy Ramo of Florida and Carmen Encizo of Long Island; his granddaughters, Mariah and Marisa Corbitt of Florida.

Arrangements were handled by the National Cremation Society in Clearwater, Florida.