Addo E. Bonetti (April 4, 1926 – June 6, 2021) was an American politician and Marine who served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from the 175th and 65th districts from 1967 to 1979, as a member of the Democratic Party. Prior to his political career he had served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.

Quick Facts Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, Succeeded by ...

Addo Bonetti
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
In office 1967–1979
Succeeded by	John J. Miscikoski
Constituency	175th (1967–1973) 65th (1973–1979)
Personal details
Born	(1926-04-04)April 4, 1926 Torrington, Connecticut, U.S.
Died	June 6, 2021(2021-06-06) (aged 95)
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Lois E. Sjogren
Military service
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Battles/wars	World War II
Awards	Purple Heart

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Bonetti was born in Torrington, Connecticut, and educated at Torrington High School. After graduating from high school he served in the United States Marine Corps where he would be given the Purple Heart after being wounded at the Battle of Iwo Jima. Following his service in the Marines he entered local politics in Torrington with campaigns for a seat on the Democratic Town Committee, Board of Tax Review, and town clerk.

He was elected to the state house from the 175th district and did not face significant opposition until the 1972 election. In 1972, he and Representative John J. Miscikoski were both moved into the 65th district and Bonetti was initially defeated until the primary was invalidated and a new one was held in which Bonetti won. He served in the state house until 1979. Bonetti died in 2021.

Addo E. Bonetti was born in Torrington, Connecticut, on April 4, 1926, to Teresa Berti and Domenico Bonetti. He graduated from Torrington High School. On June 29, 1944, he enlisted into the United States Marine Corps and served during World War II before becoming a corporal. During the war he was wounded after a grenade hit his helmet at the Battle of Iwo Jima on March 12, 1945, and was given the Purple Heart. He married Lois E. Sjogren and stayed with her until her death in 1974.^[1][2][3]

Bonetti considered running for mayor of Torrington in 1979.^[32] Bonetti was selected by the Services for the Elderly Commission to work as director of elderly services following the death of Edward Sullivan. Although the commission recommended the appointment of Bonetti as director, Mayor Michael J. Conway appointed Margaret Murphy as director instead. George P. Avitabile, the chair of the commission, resigned in protest at the decision.^[33][34] Bonetti then worked as an aide for House Majority Leader John Groppo.^[35]

Robert M. Phalen, the city clerk of Torrington, announced that he would not seek reelection to a seventh term in 1981, after being fined $5,000 and given a suspended sentence of one year after not filing his federal income tax returns in 1977.^[36] Bonetti defeated Frank Czapor, who was endorsed by the Democratic Town Committee, in the primary.^[37][38] He defeated Republican nominee Richard Zaharek in the general election.^[39] He won reelection in the 1985 election against Republican nominee Roger F. Pollick and was the candidate who received the most votes in Torrington's city elections.^[40] He won reelection without opposition in 1989.^[41] Bonetti did not seek reelection and was replaced by Frank R. Vitalo in 1992.^[42]

During the 1986 gubernatorial election, he supported Governor William A. O'Neill.^[43] During the 1995 Torrington mayoral election, he supported Mary Jane Gryniuk and worked as a leader in her campaign.^[44]

Bonetti died on June 6, 2021, at the age of 95.^[1]

• List of close election results