John Bonica
| John Bonica | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Joseph Bonica February 16, 1917 |
| Died | August 15, 1994 (aged 77) |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Nationality | United States |
| Fields | professional wrestling, anesthesiology |
John Bonica (February 16, 1917 – August 15, 1994) was a Sicilian American anesthesiologist and professional wrestler known as the founding father of the study of pain management.
Born in Filicudi, off the coast of Sicily, in 1917, he emigrated with his family to the United States in 1927, becoming naturalized citizens in 1928. John’s father, Antonino Bonica, a deputy Mayor and director of the postal service in Filicudi, eventually became a supervisor at the American Telephone and Telegraph Company. His mother, Angela Zagame, was a midwife and practical nurse.
After his father died in 1932, the 15-year-old Bonica assumed responsibility of the household, by shining shoes and selling newspapers and produce. He became the youngest Eagle Scout in the history of Brooklyn.
Bonica entered amateur wrestling in high school to pay his way through school and fulfill his dream to go to college. He went on to win championships in the city and state levels. After such a successful high school stint, at age 19, Bonica began to wrestle professionally at carnivals, and continued to do it throughout his years of college at Long Island University and medical school at Marquette University School of Medicine in Milwaukee. He once defeated the entire 36 member wrestling team of an upstate New York college in one day. His monikers included the Masked Marvel and Johnny “Bull” Walker. Bonica wrestled many of the contemporary greats including Jim Londos, Ed "Strangler" Lewis, and had a one-hour draw with Lou Thesz. He won the light heavyweight championship of Canada in 1939. In 1941, Bonica added the NWA world light heavyweight championship to his resume. The years of gladiatorial competition left Dr. Bonica a chronic pain sufferer himself, and thus empathizer with his patients. He would be awarded the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame New York State Award in 2004.
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