Jack J. Bove

Jack J. Bove, a celebrated union leader and beloved husband, father and grandfather, died October 2 in Florida at the age of 92.

Born March 22, 1929, Bove was named Giacomo by his parents John and Rose but was better known to all as Jack or “Ace.” To his wife Angelina, it was “JACKKKKK!” He grew up on Montauk Avenue in Brooklyn before moving with his family to Massapequa.

As an adult, Jack followed in his father’s footsteps and began working for the Long Island Rail Road in 1948 as an electrician– a proud tradition later upheld by two of his children, one of his granddaughtersand other family members. Bove worked for the railroad for 34 years, becoming active in the local union early on. He also served his country in Korea in the early 1950s.

Jack held several positions in the union over the course of his long career– local chairman, treasurer, financial secretary and ultimately General Chairman, a position he held from 1971 until 1982. Jack was then appointed to the position of International Representative and served for 12 years before retiring in 1994.
As a Union Representative Jack was instrumental in obtaining the current five-day work week and pension benefits that so manyemployees and retirees now enjoy. In fact, his name still appears in IBEW collective bargaining agreements used by the LIRR today, a source of great pride for his granddaughter Jaclyn, who works as Chief Administrative Support for the Maintenance of Equipment Department.
More than anything, Jack was a family man. On October 9, 1954 he married the love of his life Angelina and together they had three children: Rose, Frances and John. Jack and Angie had a passion for travel and Italy was their favorite destination. They traveled often,including taking the entire family on cruises, trips to the Bahamas andoften headed to Atlantic City, where they’d always eat at Carmine’s.

Later in life, Jack spent as much time as he could with his seven grandchildren — James, Anthony, Jaclyn, Victoria, Phillip, Anthony, and Joseph – watching them play sports, teaching them how to bowl and golf, going to baseball games, doing puzzles and sharing his wisdom and teaching them a life lesson or two. All the kids loved listening to him tell stories about his time working on the railroad. They are immensely proud of his legacy, but he was their biggest fan, always so proud of their own accomplishments.
Jack taught all his grandkids to save their money. They enjoyed rolling up all his pennies and coins together and using money wraps for his $1 and $5 bills. He always had cash in his wallet and generosity in his heart, often slipping the kids a $20 or $50 bill for gas or to buy themselves something nice. Taking care of his family was always his top priority. He was a true gentleman and would have given you the shirt off his back.

Christmas Eve – Jack’s favorite holiday – will not be the same without him, but his loved ones will toast his memory with ‘S’ cookies and Golden Cadillacs, his signature drink. Their fond memories of sharing delicious Italian food, watching grandpa fall asleep at the dinner tableand playing 3-card poker late into the night will live on forever.

Jack is survived by his daughter Frances and son John, his seven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren – James, Angelina and Gabriella. He’s reunited in heaven with his true love Angie, who passed away in 2018, and their daughter Rose, who died in 2013. Hopefully they greeted him with his favorite newspaper, a jelly donut, and some coffee. Oh, and don’t forget the toothpick.

Mae West once said, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” Jack’s rich life was more than enough – a beautiful family, a distinguished career, and countless friends.
They all loved him… to which he would say, “likewise.”