John Richard Bovio Jr.

BOVIO, John Richard, Jr., passed away January 17, 2021. He was born to Florence and John Bovio in Jamaica, New York. The eldest of three boys, he was raised in Bellmore, New York, as part of a large and vibrant extended Italian family. John loved sports and flourished as a baseball player earning a scholarship to Ithaca College. It was in Ithaca he met Judy, the love of his life and wife of 60 years. After college, John became a high school physical education teacher continuing his love of sports - coaching soccer, umpiring baseball, refereeing lacrosse and keeping time at basketball games. He and Judy raised three children, John, Lisa and Lynn. John discovered he was a natural salesman and moved his family to San Rafael, California in 1972 to pursue a new career. He had a long and successful sales career with EcoLab during which he continued to love sports; skiing, coaching baseball and playing golf. When retired, he and Judy spent half of their time in Mazatlan, Mexico, enjoying golf and a community of close friends. John was never happier than when he became a grandparent. His first grandchild, PJ, dubbed him "Pop Pop," and it stuck for the rest of his life. He embraced that title like a badge of honor and was happiest when surrounded by his seven grandchildren. John could be found yelling on the sidelines of soccer and softball games, much to the chagrin of his daughters. He was his best as Pop Pop- a kinder, gentler and more generous version of himself who was loved and adored. His favorite t-shirt read "Pop Pop, the man, the myth, the legend," a gift from his grandchildren. John Richard Bovio Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Judith Slocum Bovio; his son, John Richard Bovio III of Portland, Oregon; his daughters, Lisa Bovio Randolph and Lynn Bovio Williams (Gordy), both of Richmond, Virginia; his grandchildren, PJ, Julia, Emily and Sarah Randolph, Sadie, Ella and Becca Williams; and two brothers, Ken Bovio (Doris) and Anthony Bovio (Marcia), both reside in Florida. A service and celebration of John's life will be planned for a safer time in the future. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please make a donation to Cedars of Marin in his memory, cedarslife.org.