David Richard Bovell Sr. of Malvern David Richard Bovell Sr. of Malvern slipped quietly into his heavenly reward on Monday morning, June 1, 2015. He was born in West Conshohocken on January 10, 1935 and was the son of the late William and Lillian Frank Bovell. He was preceded in death by six brothers and three sisters. Dave grew up on Diamond Rock Hill in the Great Valley and attended Tredyffrin-Easttown schools, culminating with his graduation from T-E High School in 1954. He married his high-school sweetheart, Amelia DiLabbio Bovell, on April 5, 1955. They have five children: Carolyn Bovell McGovern (Kevin); David R. Bovell, Jr. (Sara); Barbara Ann Bovell; Robert C. Bovell; and Phillip T. Bovell. He was a gentle giant doting upon his eight grandchildren (two of whom are proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force and Coast Guard) and six great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brother-in-law Harry DiLabbio, Jr., sister-in-law, Regina DiLabbio King and many cousins, nieces and nephews. In his early years, Dave worked as a milkman for Weaver’s Dairies in Malvern and as a delivery man/shop hand for McDonough’s Greenhouse in Malvern. In 1966 he joined National Rolling Mills/Worthington Steel and gave them an impressive 31 years of dedicated service. Dave epitomized the term “good neighbor,” treasuring many years of camaraderie with his General Warren Village pals from 1959 until his demise. He enjoyed yearly reunions with his Rolling Mills buddies at Shady Maple Smorgasbord and T-E high school class activities. As “The Signal Hill Boys,” Dave, his brothers Ebo and George and neighbor Howard would sit around the breakfast table on Sunday mornings listening to old-time country and blue-grass music, laughing and reminiscing about how things were in the good old days. He had a passion for flowers and all things green; his yard, more beautiful than any English country garden - and his tomatoes would’ve taken a prize at any country fair. He always had a pet bunny in a backyard hutch and enjoyed nothing more than sitting on the front or back porches watching squirrels, foxes and birds going about their daily routines. Dave was also known for his mummers’ strut at gatherings; was the #1 Phillies Fan in the village; and enjoyed bus trips to the casinos and activities at the Great Valley Senior Center. Dave’s family would like to recognize the dedicated cardiologists, cardiothoracic surgeons and all ancillary nursing and technical personnel at the Lankenau Hospital for the skills, expertise and dignity with which they treated him during his final three weeks on this earth. Family and friends are invited to a celebration of Dave’s life on Thursday evening, June 4, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Alleva Funeral Home, Inc. in Paoli. A second viewing will be held at Alleva’s on Friday morning, June 5 at 10:30 a.m. Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at St. Patrick Church, Channing Avenue, Malvern followed by interment at St. Agnes Cemetery in West Chester. Donations in Dave’s memory can be made to the Great Valley Senior Center, PO Box 228, Malvern PA 19355-0228 or to the Upper Main Line Memorial Association, PO Box 544, Malvern PA 19355.

Published in The Daily Local on June 2, 2015 -