Thomas Bova
May 17, 1952 ~ July 29, 2024
Thomas 'Tom' 'Buck' Bova, loving father, son, brother, uncle, and friend passed away on Monday, July 29, 2024, at the age of 72, at his home in Lisbon. Visitation will be on Monday, August 5, 2024, from 4-7:00 p.m. at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon. Funeral Service will be on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at St. John's Cemetery in Lisbon, with a luncheon at the funeral home.
Tom was born May 17, 1952, son to John and LaVonne (Vandeberg) Bova. Tom graduated from Lisbon High School in 1970 and completed two years of college at Kirkwood.
Tom's favorite things were watching his nephews and son participate in sports. He was a fan of the Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Blackhawks, and especially anything connected with the University of Notre Dame. He enjoyed listening to 50's rock and Neil Young, and was known for his dry, witty sense of humor.
Tom is survived by his son, Derek Bova; siblings, Gregg Bova, Barb Bova, and Lynette (Doug) Bova-Butteris; nieces and nephews, Jeremiah Butteris, Zachary Butteris, Michelle Jones, and Megan Jones; and great-nieces and nephews, Emily Jones, Violet Butteris, Branzen Butteris, and Bella Butteris.
He was preceded in death by his parents, John 'Chum' and LaVonne 'Peewee' Bova.
Memorials may be may to the family.
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We are deeply sorry for your loss ~ Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services – Mount Vernon
Tom was such a great guy and a great neighbor. He will be missed by so many in the community. Prayers and sympathy to all who are grieving this devastating loss. Darryl Studt and family
Sometimes life leads you in a direction you don’t expect. Being honored to be Tom’s neighbor was a blessing. A wonderful neighbor…a wonderful friend. Rawley and Lisa
Sorry to Derek, Lynette, J.J. and Zach, and all his family, for his lost. I bonded with Tom on sports, but most of all, talking about our kids and the hope that they will grow up and be productive adults. I will miss my good friend.
Kent Allison
With deepest sympathy..Doug/Su..Karen/Joe..Anita
So many were blessed to have known you. You were the best uncle I couldve asked for. I will forever love you.
I love you so much Tom. My heart is broken. I find some comfort knowing you’re with Mom and Dad. It was an honor taking care of you. I miss you deeply already. Please watch over us as I know you will. You were THE GODFATHER of our family. RIP Tommy 💔
My condolences, Lynette. Your brother will be sorely missed. All my best to you and yours.
I’m so sorry Bova family. Losing your wonderful mom is hard enough. And now Tom. I know how hard this is. Losing Mom was so hard, and then Mike 3 weeks later. Too much for one family
I truly feel your pain. What a grand reunion they are all having in heaven Bless you all!
Many years ago , we, “The Ferguson Family” had the pleasure of living in the same block as the Bova family. Chum and Peewee were the greatest of neighbors and friends. They raised a wonderful family, Tom being one we so remembered. It does not ever leave ones mind, when such good people are there in memory. My sincere condolence to the Bova Family, Please accept are warm comfort from Elaine Ferguson, Kelley and Susan and families.
Tom,
I’m so sad that you are gone and I miss you so much. I will cherish the many phone calls and texts we had, you being so good to Violet and i’ll never forget the time I broke the lamp in your living room on Monday night football….sorry 🙂
Keep watching over everyone, I will keep looking at those pictures of you and Violet over the years. Love you!!
Very sorry to here of the loss of Tom. Our friendship goes a long way back to the 70’s..many good memories and special times in those early days in MV/Lisbon area.
Wishing you peace to bring comfort, courage to face the days ahead and loving memories to forever hold in your hearts.
I’m gonna miss you crossing the street or me crossing the street. I enjoyed our conversations, be it about the family or sports or whatever. You touched so many lives. You were my brother Tom. I’ll never forget you.
The horn nobody wanted to hear. Such a great man – 360. Kind, thoughtful, reliable, extraordinarily wise, trustworthy, one of a kind. 32 years knowing you has been an honor and inspiration. Missing you even more than I imagined and it’s still fresh. So many fond memories with you starting with a little outside party at your place many years ago that’s always stuck with me. Porch talks I’d give a million to have recorded so can listen again. You were so good with my kids and Clint especially loves ya lots. Condolences to D-rock, JJ, Zach, Lynette, and all. So many people loved you – you touched so many hearts and minds. Sure, all of Lisbon loves wrestling and hats totally off, but it was so nice to have a friend who appreciated hockey as well. Go B Hawks! Good work, Bova – you lived a great life, a job very well done. I hope you realize how much you are missed. No worries, rest assured, we’ll take care of your loved ones as that was your only concern. Peace out, love ya man, and keep shining your light on us all as you sit in the best box seat in the house.
I thought he’d live forever to be a sweet little old man rockin’ on his porch. Buck was like no other. I’ve read some of the beautiful words shared by others and he was all of them and more. Great person, wise, thoughtful, witty, loyal friend and… funny. I met him when Blarney’s first opened. I teased him about coming into the bar to watch soap operas. But he was unapologetic and just smiled that little smile of his. I’ve got wonderful memories of our talks over the decades but one of my favorite stories is when Buck and I made a bet. He said he wanted to quit smoking and I said, “I’ll bet I can go longer without a glass of wine than you can go without a cigarette”. Game on. Of course it was the honor system, but I trusted him and he trusted me. So, one Wednesday night when he and the crew were playing poker, I snuck out a wine glass and poured some cranberry juice into it. I strolled around the table until he suddenly jumps up and shouts “I win, I win”. I think we had $25 on the bet. He starts to borrow a cigarette from one of the guys and I walked over and said, “would you like a sip of my wine?” We laughed so hard when he realized I had tricked him into thinking I’d broken down. I’ve never known anyone like him and never had a friend like him. Irreplaceable. Love to his family, Sara.