JOHN BOSCO

John was born in 1946 into a second-generation Italian American family and grew up in a diverse suburban community in Queens, New York City. Although an only child, he was surrounded by a large extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. His grandmother had performed in vaudeville, one uncle was a master of ceremonies at a noted Brooklyn nightclub, and his aunt Lenore and uncle Robert were award-winning ballroom dancers. This lively environment inspired John’s early love of reading, creativity, and life’s deeper mysteries.

His mother was a homemaker, and his father was a butcher who owned stores in Manhattan and Brooklyn. John studied English at St. John’s University, where he wrote poetry and developed a strong interest in theology, literature, and philosophy. His studies were interrupted by the Vietnam War, leading him to enlist in the United States Air Force for four years before returning to complete his degree.

During his military service, John met Rosemary, his wife of 55 years. They settled in Levittown, Long Island, raised two daughters, and now have three grandsons.

John later earned a master’s degree in library science and enjoyed a distinguished 35-year career as a librarian, serving as Head of Reference and Director of several public libraries on Long Island. Now retired, he tutors students and adults in English literature and English as a second language. He is also writing a second children’s book and plans to complete a nonfiction book in the future.