Charles Bove

Charles Bove Charles "Charlie" A. Bove passed away peacefully from heart failure at his home in Atascadero surrounded by his loving family on December 21, 2015. Charlie was born in 1929 in Brooklyn, New York, to Charles and Katherine Bove. After graduating high school, he started working for Raymond Concrete Pile Company where he met the love of his life Jeanne. In 1951 he joined the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Boston, Massachusetts, Fort Gordon, Georgia and Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, where he graduated from the Officer Candidate School on August 28, 1952. On August 29, Charlie and Jeanne purchased a brand new Pontiac, and were married on August 30, 1952. A couple of weeks later, they started their journey to California where Charlie was stationed at Camp San Luis Obispo. Making their home in San Luis Obispo Charlie started his career with J.C. Penney as a shoe salesman, while still serving in the Army Reserves. They started their family of three children, Eileen, Robert and Diane, then moved to Bakersfield and had their fourth child Greg. Charlie was transferred throughout California while moving up in the J. C. Penney Company. After being in the Bay Area for many years, he returned to Atascadero to manage the San Luis Obispo store. He spent the last five years of his 37 year career with J. C. Penney in San Diego before retiring and settling back in Atascadero. He also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the U.S. Army Reserves, serving for 30 years. While raising his family and working, he attended Cal Poly and received a degree in Business Administration. Charlie was a leader and recognized many times for his accomplishments and dedication. He served on the Board of Directors of Achievement House, the San Luis Obispo YMCA, San Luis Obispo Downtown Association, Special Olympics and ringing the bell for the knights of Columbus to benefit the mentally challenged. A devoted member of the Santa Margarita de Cortona Catholic Church, he was responsible for orchestrating many successful fund raisers for the parish. Charlie and Jeanne enjoyed traveling the world together and playing tennis. He played tennis until he was 82. Charlie was very devoted to his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He enjoyed family gatherings and was a friend to all. Charlie is survived by his wife of 63 years, Jeanne; daughter, Diane DeRose (Steve); son, Greg Bove; grandchildren, Stephen DeRose (Gia), Tyler DeRose; great-grandson, Stephen Troy DeRose; brothers, Arthur Bove and Francis Bove and sisters, Arlene Murray and Marilyn Fitzgerald. He is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Katherine Bove; son, Robert Bove; daughter, Eileen Bove-Reed and brother, Kenneth Bove. Celebration of Life for Charlie Bove will be on Saturday, January 16, 2016, at 1:00pm at the Santa Margarita de Cortona Catholic Church in Santa Margarita. Sign his guestbook at sanluisobispo.com/obituaries