Deacon Robert J. Bonta Deacon Bonta was born in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and grew up in Gary, Indiana, in the Tolleston neighborhood.  He was the second born of four brothers.  Deacon Bonta received all his Sacraments at St. Anthony Chapel in Gary, Indiana.  After graduating from Tolleston High School in 1952, he went on to study at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana.  He graduated with a Degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1957.  On October 13, 1962, he married Mary Theresa Bartfai and they had three children they raised here in Portage:  Mary Beth, Dominic, and Robert Jr.  They all graduated from St. Francis, Nativity, Andrean, and Purdue. Deacon Bonta was employed at United States Steel Gary Works for 38 1/2 years.  He has traveled to the Philippines, Turkey, Mexico, and throughout the USA to perform Steel Mill consulting. He was Ordained Holy Orders as Permanent Deacon on June 17, 1984.  He started the first CYO sports at Nativity in 1971 with a Boys High School Basketball Team.  Then he started the first Girls CYO Volleyball Team and also the first Nativity CYO Track Team.  Deacon Bonta enjoys teaching Catechism, serving during Nativity Liturgies, ministering at hospitals, nursing homes, during wake services, as Sacramental Recorder, and Baptisms. When time permits, he enjoys golfing and fishing but most enjoys the time he spends with his five grandchildren; three of which live in Portage, and two in Augusta, Georgia. If you see Deacon Bonta, be sure to say Hi !! We hope you "Got To Know" him !!