Christopher J. Bonafede Jr. 85, passed away peacefully Thursday at his home in Jacksonville, Florida with his loving family by his side. Chris was born April 16, 1924 in Amsterdam, New York and he was the son of the late Chrisostomos and Vincenza Vaccaro Bonafede. He was employed as a Fire Fighter for the City of Amsterdam Fire Department for 28 of years until his retirement in 1973. After moving to Jacksonville he worked for Load King Manufacturing for a number of years. Chris was active in harness horse racing at the Saratoga Raceway in New York for many years and he also raced in St. Augustine Raceway after moving to Florida. He was a parishioner of the Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Jacksonville. Chris was married to the former Jennie Pacunas who passed away in 1975. He then later married the former Lillian Garret who passed away in 2005. Survivors include a son, Robert Bonafede and his wife Carla of Jacksonville; a brother, Vincent Bonafede and his wife Marguerite of Schenectady, NY as well as several grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews. A prayer service will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2009, at 11:00 AM at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY. Burial will take place in St. Casimir's Cemetery in Amsterdam. The family will receive relatives and friends from 10 to 11 AM on Wednesday at the funeral home.