Former mayor, father of Fla. AG dies

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The father of Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi has died.

Bondi's office confirmed that Joseph Bondi died on Tuesday.

Bondi, 76, was mayor of Temple Terrace between 1974 and 1978 and he also served as a city councilman. He was a longtime educator and a professor at the University of South Florida. Joseph Bondi served as a curriculum consultant for many school districts including Miami-Dade.

Pam Bondi posted a message on her Facebook page stating that her father died after a battle with leukemia. She says he was surrounded by family members at the time of his death.

Pam Bondi was first elected to office in 2010. She was formerly a prosecutor in Hillsborough County before seeking the post of Attorney General.

Pam Bondi released a statement, saying:

“My beautiful Daddy went to Heaven yesterday. He was surrounded by all his family. He fought a great fight with Leukemia. Thanks for all of your prayers and support. We are so heartbroken but comforted to know he is with our Lord. Please continue to pray for my family during this most difficult time in our lives,” stated Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Dr. Joseph Bondi passed away from Leukemia on January 8, 2013. He was born on August 15, 1936. He was preceded in death by his parents Joseph and Virginia Bondi. He was a native of Tampa, later with residences in Temple Terrace and Long Boat Key, Florida. He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Patsy Bondi, daughters, Pam Bondi (Greg Henderson) and Beth Bondi McIntyre (Rich McIntyre), and son, Brad Bondi (Tandy). He is also survived by his sister, Frances Bondi Glenn, and her husband, William Glenn, and six loving grandchildren – Jake Schaffer, Emma and Evan McIntyre, Rex Bondi, Brad Bondi Jr. and Rhea Bondi.

Dr. Bondi was a Navy Veteran. Dr. Bondi was a graduate of Hillsborough High School where he was a member of the school’s Hall of Fame and earned a bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate degree from the University of Florida. Dr. Bondi was a pioneer in the middle school movement organizing one of the first five middle schools in the nation. He was the author of over twenty-five leading educational textbooks and was a partner in the international education consulting firm of Wiles, Bondi and Associates, working in all fifty states and twenty foreign countries. During his career, Dr. Bondi served as a teacher, school administrator, and college professor. He also served his community of Temple Terrace, Florida as a member of the City Council from 1970-74 and Mayor from 1974-78. He was selected as the first Chairman of the Hillsborough County Council of Governments in 1975. He is listed in “Who’s Who in America.” In lieu of flowers, friends may make contributions at Metropolitan Ministries.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, January 20, 2013 at 2 p.m. at Christ Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, located at 304 Druid Hills Road, Temple Terrace, Fla. 33617."