James V. Bitonti; 70; of Belle Vernon; died Friday; Jan. 30; 2009; in Allegheny General Hospital; Pittsburgh. A son of the late Tony and Rose Rogers Bitonti; he was born in Belle Vernon on May 9; 1938. His memberships included: St. Sebastian Roman Catholic Church; Lions Club; where he was a Melvin Jones Award recipient; American Legion Post No. 659 and the East Belle Vernon Athletic Association; all of Belle Vernon; the Naomi Club of Fayette City; Italian Club and the Italian Heritage Society; both of Monessen; and the Pennsylvania Mayor’s Association. Jim was the current mayor of the Borough of Belle Vernon; a position he held for over 11 years; and he was currently serving on the board of the Belle Vernon Municipal Authority. In addition; he was the Democratic Committeeman for the borough and had previously served on the boards of the Fayette County Housing Authority and the Mon Valley Cultural Trust. He graduated from the former Bellmar High School in 1957; served from 1958 to 1964 in the National Guard and retired in 1998 after 34 years from the Allenport plant of Wheeling-Pittsburgh Steel Company; where he was a machinist; the union grievance man and served on the Contracting Out Committee. He was instrumental in organizing the Southwest Regional Police Department and obtained over $3.5 million in grants and low interest loans for borough projects. In October 2008; he was awarded the Columbus 500 Award for government service. Survivors include his wife of 45 years; Donna Umbel Bitonti; his daughter and son-in-law; Toni Lynn and Matt Breakwell; and son and daughter-in-law; James A. and Tanya Bitonti; all of Belle Vernon; four granddaughters; Riley; Madison; Makenzie and Kaci Bitonti; three sisters; Sara Mitchell; Lucy Kroskie and Nancy Byron; all of Belle Vernon; one brother; Tony P. Bitonti; of Coal Center; and numerous aunts; uncles; nieces and nephews. Friends will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday and 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday in the FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME and CREMATORY INC.; 700 Broad Ave.; Belle Vernon (724-929-5300); www.FergusonFuneralHomeAndCrematory.com. A blessing service will be held Wednesday; Feb. 4; at 9:30 a.m. in the funeral home; followed by a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Sebastian R.C. Church with the Rev. Lawrence Manchas VF as celebrant. Interment will follow in Belle Vernon Cemetery. On Tuesday; the Belle Vernon Lions will meet at 3 p.m. in the funeral home for visitation; followed by the rosary; which will be led by members of St. Sebastian Parish; and the Belle Vernon borough departments will meet at 7 p.m. in the funeral home to hold services. If friends wish; in lieu of flowers; memorial donations may be made to Belle Vernon Borough for the benefit of Brewer Stadium; the Southwest Regional Police Department or the Belle Vernon Fire Company.