Donald E. Bova Sr. 1939-2024

Don was born Aug. 18, 1939, in Youngstown, Ohio, the son of the late Andrew and Mary Yanko Bova.

He was a graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School, Class of 1957. After graduating, he enlisted in the United States Army and he served in the 82nd Airborne Unit, until his honorable discharge in August 1963.

Don first worked at F.A. Pilgrim and also sold real estate before pursuing his true passion of building homes. He founded Don Bova Construction Company and became one of the first developers to build town homes in the Youngstown area. Don was a longtime member of The Mahoning Valley Home Builders Association, serving as President from 1977 to 1978. After moving to Florida, he established Bay Side Realty and continued to grow his career.

Besides his love for construction, his other passions were hunting and golfing. Don loved hunting deer for most of his adult life and always used to say, being in the woods was “like being in God’s country.” It was in the woods where he made life-long bonds, with his friends and especially his family. Don also pursued his other passion on the golf course where he eventually qualified for the Senior PGA Tour in 1992.

Besides his parents, Don was preceded in death by his brother, Joseph Bova (Millie) of Warren, Ohio.

He leaves to cherish his memory, his brother, James Bova (Rita) of St. Petersburg, Florida; three children, Donald E. Bova Jr. (Cindy), Christine Koneval and Alexis Rossetti (James); nine grandchildren, Victoria Lehn, Erica Koval (Joseph), Stephen, Jacob, Gillian, Danielle, and Samantha Koneval, Brenden and Austin Bova, and Alissa and Kayla Rossetti; along with four nieces and nephews and seven great-nieces and great-nephews; and one great-granddaughter.

A private family service will be held in his honor, at a later date, to celebrate his life.

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