Allegro

A tribute to Jon Bogert

Volume 123, No. 1January, 2023

Jon Bogert, 81, the former financial controller of Local 802, died on Dec. 7, 2022 in Savannah Lakes, South Carolina. Jon grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and won the New Jersey State Wrestling Championship during his senior year at Leonia High School. He earned a B.A. at Yale and went on to train as a certified public accountant. Jon worked for Local 802 for 10 years (from 1995 to 2005) and also worked at Price Waterhouse, Sterling Drug and Baker Hughes.  As controller of Local 802, Jon was instrumental in the purchase of the 48th Street building, which has proved so beneficial to the union. “His hiring was one of the best moves we made during my time in office,” former Local 802 President Bill Moriarity told Allegro. “He took control of the budgetary process so that we were much better able to understand our financial situation on a month by month basis. This, ultimately, resulted in our paying off the building within about nine years from the time we purchased it. And he was easy to work with. I was very sorry to hear of his death.”

Aside from his accounting career, Jon had many interests. He loved playing golf and tennis, reading the news, doing crossword puzzles, enjoying lively conversation, telling jokes, and traveling the world with his wife. (His favorite destination was France). Jon’s faith was very important to him; he was raised in the Leonia Methodist church, served as a choir boy at St. Paul’s in Englewood, and at the end of his life attended Trinity Episcopal Church in Abbeville, South Carolina after moving there in his retirement. Jon’s wife Elizabeth remembers, “When we attended a concert of the Carolina Brass at a local church some time ago, the arrangement was by Jack Gale.  Later, we spoke to the band about Jon working for the union and knowing Jack Gale.  So the influence of music that is represented by Local 802 reaches far and wide. We were thrilled!”

Jon will also be remembered for his friendly smile and outgoing personality. “He was a wonderful brother and friend, especially around tax time,” remembers Jon’s sister Melanie B. Bradford, who is a member of Local 802.

Jon is survived by his wife Elizabeth Nebolsine Bogert; children Laurie Fuller and David Bogert; stepchildren Matthew Bodman, Philip Bodman and Michael Bodman; grandchildren Elizabeth, Henry and Abigail; sisters Melanie B. Bradford and Dana Ross; and brother Thomas Bogert. He was preceded in death by his sister Constance Stroh. There will be a private service at a later date. Memorials in memory of Jon may be made to the American Lung Association, 2030 North Church Place, Spartanburg, SC 29303 (www.lung.org/get-involved/ways-to-give). Online condolences may be made to the Bogert family at www.chandlerjacksonfh.com/obituaries/jonathan-bogert.