Erie native Carol Bongiovi, the mother of rock and roll legend Jon Bon Jovi, has died.

Bongiovi, 83, whose maiden name was Sharkey, died Tuesday in New Jersey, according to a USA Today story citing an obituary shared by Bon Jovi’s reps. Her death at Monmouth Medical Center came three days before her 84th birthday.

“Our mother was a force to be reckoned with, her spirit and can-do attitude shaped this family. She will be greatly missed,” Bon Jovi said in an emailed statement Wednesday included in the USA Today story.

Bon Jovi’s mother met her husband, John Bongiovi Sr., in the U.S. Marine Corps and the couple was married for 63 years. In addition to being a veteran, she was an entrepreneur, founder of her son’s fan club and former Playboy Bunny. The couple eventually moved to New Jersey, where they resided together until her death.

Carol Bongiovi, shown with her son Jon Bon Jovi in 2008, was an Erie native who moved to New Jersey but did visit her hometown over the years.

Photos of the Bongiovis were featured in Bon Jovi’s 2021 music video, “Story of Love.”

Carol Bongiovi is survived by her husband, three sons and eight grandchildren.

Erie connection

Bongiovi grew up in Erie, a daughter of Martha and Michael Sharkey, who preceded her in death. Her siblings included brother Michael Sharkey Jr. and sisters Patricia Lugo and Beverly Ondreako, according to their mother’s 1994 obituary in the Erie Times-News archives.

Although Bongiovi later lived in New Jersey, she did return to Erie occasionally, according to local newspaper reports over the years. She reportedly attended at least one Academy High School class reunion.

 

Jon Bon Jovi’s mother, along with her parents, attended the July 1987 Bon Jovi concert at Erie’s Veterans Memorial Stadium, according to a story in the Erie Times-News archives.