Joseph Rocco Bova
AGE: 96 • Oceanport
Joseph Rocco Bova, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 26, 2015. He was born in Long Branch on February 7, 1918 to James and Beatrice Bova. He was a graduate of Long Branch High School. Joe enlisted in the Army on February 14th, 1941, and did his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he was blessed to meet his future wife at a USO party.
Joe served with the 1st Armored Division for 4 1/2 years. He was wounded and captured in Africa and was a POW for 27 months, serving in prison camps in Italy, Germany and Poland and earning 2 Purple Hearts for the wounds he suffered. He was camp leader of the prisoners at a punishment camp and spent the last 3 months of his time as a POW on the so-called German death march. Blessed to have survived his Army years, Joe returned home to marry and settle in Oceanport.
Joe went to work for Naval Weapons Station, Earle for 28 1/2 years as the Building Trades supervisor and Planner and Estimator. He volunteered as president of the Earle Credit Union and also as president of and maintenance director for the Earle Welfare and Recreation Association.
Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was proud of the 43 pound striped bass he caught and the white iris he grew that won first prize at a California flower show.
He was vice-president of the Monmouth County Sportsman's Organization and treasurer of Shore Wildlife Club for 32 years. Joe was a member of the Oceanport Senior Citizens Club, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American P.O.W. Association, and a former member of the Oceanport Democratic Club. Joe was also a member of First Assembly of God church in Shrewsbury and had most recently attended Searchlight Church in Long Branch, where his son is one of the pastors.
Joe was pre-deceased by his sister Theresa Skerl and his brothers Greg, Paul and Ralph. Surviving are his wonderful wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen (Reynolds) Bova, a son, Rev. James (Sandy) of Oceanport, daughters Monica Nelson (Bill) of Louisville, KY and Bella Chatzikyriakos (Giorgio) of Oceanport, 4 grandsons, 5 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters. Also surviving is a brother, Peter Bova of Oceanport, a sister, Frances Cartier, of Tinton Falls, 2 sisters-in-law, Opal Bova of Brick and Ruth Bova of Middletown. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who were all very dear to him.
Joe (Dad) was a wonderful, loving, caring man who deeply loved and appreciated life. He was a great son, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. Joe believed strongly in giving a hand up to those in need and set a tremendous example for all of us to follow. In keeping with his philosophy, we encourage those of you who want to honor his memory to express it through acts of kindness of your own. We will always love him.
Memorial service will be held at First Assembly of God Church, 220 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury, NJ Saturday, February 7th at 2:00pm. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the web at www.damianofuneralhome.com.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Asbury Park Press on Feb. 4, 2015.
AGE: 96 • Oceanport
Joseph Rocco Bova, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 26, 2015. He was born in Long Branch on February 7, 1918 to James and Beatrice Bova. He was a graduate of Long Branch High School. Joe enlisted in the Army on February 14th, 1941, and did his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he was blessed to meet his future wife at a USO party.
Joe served with the 1st Armored Division for 4 1/2 years. He was wounded and captured in Africa and was a POW for 27 months, serving in prison camps in Italy, Germany and Poland and earning 2 Purple Hearts for the wounds he suffered. He was camp leader of the prisoners at a punishment camp and spent the last 3 months of his time as a POW on the so-called German death march. Blessed to have survived his Army years, Joe returned home to marry and settle in Oceanport.
Joe went to work for Naval Weapons Station, Earle for 28 1/2 years as the Building Trades supervisor and Planner and Estimator. He volunteered as president of the Earle Credit Union and also as president of and maintenance director for the Earle Welfare and Recreation Association.
Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was proud of the 43 pound striped bass he caught and the white iris he grew that won first prize at a California flower show.
He was vice-president of the Monmouth County Sportsman's Organization and treasurer of Shore Wildlife Club for 32 years. Joe was a member of the Oceanport Senior Citizens Club, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American P.O.W. Association, and a former member of the Oceanport Democratic Club. Joe was also a member of First Assembly of God church in Shrewsbury and had most recently attended Searchlight Church in Long Branch, where his son is one of the pastors.
Joe was pre-deceased by his sister Theresa Skerl and his brothers Greg, Paul and Ralph. Surviving are his wonderful wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen (Reynolds) Bova, a son, Rev. James (Sandy) of Oceanport, daughters Monica Nelson (Bill) of Louisville, KY and Bella Chatzikyriakos (Giorgio) of Oceanport, 4 grandsons, 5 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters. Also surviving is a brother, Peter Bova of Oceanport, a sister, Frances Cartier, of Tinton Falls, 2 sisters-in-law, Opal Bova of Brick and Ruth Bova of Middletown. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who were all very dear to him.
Joe (Dad) was a wonderful, loving, caring man who deeply loved and appreciated life. He was a great son, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. Joe believed strongly in giving a hand up to those in need and set a tremendous example for all of us to follow. In keeping with his philosophy, we encourage those of you who want to honor his memory to express it through acts of kindness of your own. We will always love him.
Memorial service will be held at First Assembly of God Church, 220 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury, NJ Saturday, February 7th at 2:00pm. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the web at www.damianofuneralhome.com.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Asbury Park Press on Feb. 4, 2015.
Joseph Rocco Bova
AGE: 96 • Oceanport
Joseph Rocco Bova, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 26, 2015. He was born in Long Branch on February 7, 1918 to James and Beatrice Bova. He was a graduate of Long Branch High School. Joe enlisted in the Army on February 14th, 1941, and did his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he was blessed to meet his future wife at a USO party.
Joe served with the 1st Armored Division for 4 1/2 years. He was wounded and captured in Africa and was a POW for 27 months, serving in prison camps in Italy, Germany and Poland and earning 2 Purple Hearts for the wounds he suffered. He was camp leader of the prisoners at a punishment camp and spent the last 3 months of his time as a POW on the so-called German death march. Blessed to have survived his Army years, Joe returned home to marry and settle in Oceanport.
Joe went to work for Naval Weapons Station, Earle for 28 1/2 years as the Building Trades supervisor and Planner and Estimator. He volunteered as president of the Earle Credit Union and also as president of and maintenance director for the Earle Welfare and Recreation Association.
Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was proud of the 43 pound striped bass he caught and the white iris he grew that won first prize at a California flower show.
He was vice-president of the Monmouth County Sportsman's Organization and treasurer of Shore Wildlife Club for 32 years. Joe was a member of the Oceanport Senior Citizens Club, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American P.O.W. Association, and a former member of the Oceanport Democratic Club. Joe was also a member of First Assembly of God church in Shrewsbury and had most recently attended Searchlight Church in Long Branch, where his son is one of the pastors.
Joe was pre-deceased by his sister Theresa Skerl and his brothers Greg, Paul and Ralph. Surviving are his wonderful wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen (Reynolds) Bova, a son, Rev. James (Sandy) of Oceanport, daughters Monica Nelson (Bill) of Louisville, KY and Bella Chatzikyriakos (Giorgio) of Oceanport, 4 grandsons, 5 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters. Also surviving is a brother, Peter Bova of Oceanport, a sister, Frances Cartier, of Tinton Falls, 2 sisters-in-law, Opal Bova of Brick and Ruth Bova of Middletown. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who were all very dear to him.
Joe (Dad) was a wonderful, loving, caring man who deeply loved and appreciated life. He was a great son, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. Joe believed strongly in giving a hand up to those in need and set a tremendous example for all of us to follow. In keeping with his philosophy, we encourage those of you who want to honor his memory to express it through acts of kindness of your own. We will always love him.
Memorial service will be held at First Assembly of God Church, 220 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury, NJ Saturday, February 7th at 2:00pm. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the web at www.damianofuneralhome.com.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Asbury Park Press on Feb. 4, 2015.
AGE: 96 • Oceanport
Joseph Rocco Bova, of Oceanport, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, January 26, 2015. He was born in Long Branch on February 7, 1918 to James and Beatrice Bova. He was a graduate of Long Branch High School. Joe enlisted in the Army on February 14th, 1941, and did his basic training at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he was blessed to meet his future wife at a USO party.
Joe served with the 1st Armored Division for 4 1/2 years. He was wounded and captured in Africa and was a POW for 27 months, serving in prison camps in Italy, Germany and Poland and earning 2 Purple Hearts for the wounds he suffered. He was camp leader of the prisoners at a punishment camp and spent the last 3 months of his time as a POW on the so-called German death march. Blessed to have survived his Army years, Joe returned home to marry and settle in Oceanport.
Joe went to work for Naval Weapons Station, Earle for 28 1/2 years as the Building Trades supervisor and Planner and Estimator. He volunteered as president of the Earle Credit Union and also as president of and maintenance director for the Earle Welfare and Recreation Association.
Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. He was proud of the 43 pound striped bass he caught and the white iris he grew that won first prize at a California flower show.
He was vice-president of the Monmouth County Sportsman's Organization and treasurer of Shore Wildlife Club for 32 years. Joe was a member of the Oceanport Senior Citizens Club, a life member of the Disabled American Veterans and the American P.O.W. Association, and a former member of the Oceanport Democratic Club. Joe was also a member of First Assembly of God church in Shrewsbury and had most recently attended Searchlight Church in Long Branch, where his son is one of the pastors.
Joe was pre-deceased by his sister Theresa Skerl and his brothers Greg, Paul and Ralph. Surviving are his wonderful wife of 67 years, Mary Ellen (Reynolds) Bova, a son, Rev. James (Sandy) of Oceanport, daughters Monica Nelson (Bill) of Louisville, KY and Bella Chatzikyriakos (Giorgio) of Oceanport, 4 grandsons, 5 great-grandsons and 2 great-granddaughters. Also surviving is a brother, Peter Bova of Oceanport, a sister, Frances Cartier, of Tinton Falls, 2 sisters-in-law, Opal Bova of Brick and Ruth Bova of Middletown. Joe is also survived by many nieces, nephews and friends who were all very dear to him.
Joe (Dad) was a wonderful, loving, caring man who deeply loved and appreciated life. He was a great son, husband, father, grandpa, uncle and friend. Joe believed strongly in giving a hand up to those in need and set a tremendous example for all of us to follow. In keeping with his philosophy, we encourage those of you who want to honor his memory to express it through acts of kindness of your own. We will always love him.
Memorial service will be held at First Assembly of God Church, 220 Sycamore Ave., Shrewsbury, NJ Saturday, February 7th at 2:00pm. The family invites you to leave a letter of condolence through the web at www.damianofuneralhome.com.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.
Published in Asbury Park Press on Feb. 4, 2015.
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