Paul J Bongiovi

Paul J. Bongiovi was born November 12, 1954, in Elizabeth, NJ and has lived most of his life in Linden, NJ. Paul was a Union County Corrections Officer for 29 years before retiring in December 2012. Paul is predeceased by his parents, Paul A and Theresa (nee Fackelman) Bongiovi, his sister Joanne Bongiovi. He is survived by his wife Rita A. Bongiovi (nee Schaefer), sister Pam Bongiovi-Bevilaque and her husband, Joseph, brother Robert Bongiovi and his wife Laura (nee Van Pamel), nieces and nephews Anthony, Gianarose, Nicole, and Giuseppe, as well as his Aunt and Uncle Frank and Carmella (nee Cassiba) Fackelman, brother-in-law George F. Schaefer and cousins.

Following in the footsteps of his father Paul A. Bongiovi, Paul spent most of his life following his passion starting his career as a very young child in drum corps as the mascot for the Hawthorne Caballeros Drum and Bugle Corps. During his career in drum corps he was a member of numerous NJ Drum and Bugle Corps; Polish Falcons of Elizabeth of Elizabeth, Cranford Patriots of Cranford, Hawthorne Muchachos, and the World Famous Hawthorne Caballeros of Hawthorne, NJ. During his time with the Caballeros not only as a performer, but as an instructor, he was part of many World and National Championships. After retiring from the competing drum & bugle corps he became a member of the Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Corp where he also served a director of that organization. In addition, he has taught several high school bands throughout New Jersey, most recently North Brunswick High School Winter Percussion.

He was a member of the New Jersey Drum Corp Hall of Fame as well as a World Drum Corp Hall of Fame Associate Member. He also received the distinguished award of Caballero of the Year and was on the cover of Modern Drummer representing Latin Percussion.

Paul was also a member of the PBA Union #199.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in his memory to the following:

The Hawthorne Caballeros Alumni Corps

49 Sand Hill Road

Vernon, NJ 07462-3141

Attn: Steve Raclowski

The Hawthorne Caballeros

PO Box 2148

Wayne, NJ 07474-2148

A visitation for Paul will be held Monday and Tuesday, February 13 and 14, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at Krowicki McCracken Funeral Home, 2124 East Saint George Ave, Linden, NJ 07036. A funeral mass will take place Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at St. Elizabeth RC Church, 220 E Blancke St, Linden, NJ 07036. A funeral will follow at Clover Leaf Memorial Park, Cemetery Rd, Woodbridge, NJ 07095.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.krowickifuneralhome.com for the Bongiovi family.