Josephine "Jo Pat" Patricia Schiano

Josephine Patricia Schiano 93, passed Saturday morning in Toms River N.J., peacefully in her sleep. She enjoyed a long career at Sports Illustrated when the magazine broke new ground in sports journalism. 

“Jo Pat” as she was sometimes affectionately called, was born on March 9,1931 in Brooklyn, N.Y. and later moved with her family to Teaneck, N.J. In 1953, she received a B.A. degree, cum laude, from Hunter College.  

Josephine moved to New York’s West Village and found her lifelong job niche, as Assistant to the Art Director of Sports Illustrated. A 30-year-plus careerist, she often assisted in art collections and dealt with some of the nation’s top illustrators and artists, the likes of Andy Warhol. Josephine was also instrumental in organizing Sports Illustrated participation at a major sports exhibition sponsored by the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C. Amongst her many highlights in her life, years later Josephine would fondly recall shaking hands with President Ronald Reagan and had the pleasure of being in an audience with Queen Elizabeth. 

Josephine had resided in Ocean County, N.J. for about four years, having moved from the West Village, where she was a resident for more than 60 years. 

Josephine had another love besides Sports Illustrated —— Grand Opera. Josephine took lessons for many years and had season ticket subscriptions to the Metropolitan Opera House. There she had the pleasure of meeting renowned opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti and other esteemed opera artists. A personal highlight was having her picture taken with the great Luciano Pavarotti at a Guild function. A chance to converse with well-known dramatic soprano, Christine Goerke thrilled her, as meeting Spanish tenor Alfredo Krause, who entertained at a private gathering by demonstrating vocal techniques. 

Josephine sang in small groups, including leads at the unique, small Amato Opera House in the East Village. She also frequented the City Opera Company and the New York Ballet at Lincoln Center. A longtime member of the "Greenwich house on the Square,” she participated in many holiday and special shows there.

Predeceased by her father, Michael, and mother, Nancy (nee Donadio).  Josephine is survived by her brothers Dr. Anthony Schiano and Achilles Schiano, nieces Joanne French, Nancy Schiano, Allie Schiano and Michele Bovasso and her husband Robert Bovasso, great-niece and great-nephews, Dr. Emily Bovasso, Robert Bovasso, Jr., Anthony Bovasso, Joseph Bovasso, and Isabella Schiano.  Survived also by numerous cousins and an aunt. 

Visiting hours will be Tuesday, June 11, 2024, from 9:30am to 10:30am at Maxwell-Tobie Funeral Home, 573 Mill Creek Road, Manahawkin, NJ 08050. A Mass of Christian burial will follow, 11:00 am at St. Francis Of Assisi, 4700 Long Beach Blvd., Brant Beach, NJ 08087. Cremation will be private.