LYNN — Joe Tavernese began working at the West Lynn Post Office Lanes bowling alley, owned by the Leo family, when he was 14. When the Leo family bought Metro Bowl in Peabody a few years later, Tavernese began working there, too.
More than 50 years later, Tavernese worked his last shift at Metro Bowl this past Saturday, surrounded by coworkers and Metro Bowl regulars who he said have become like a “second family” after all these years.
Working his last shift as manager at Metro Bowl was bittersweet, but Tavernese, 67, said he is grateful for everyone he met and worked with over the years.
“I had so many nice people up there. Working for the Leos was really, really awesome because they are such a great family,” he said. “I couldn’t have had it any better. If I had to do it all over again, I’d do it the same way.”
One of the parts that Tavernese said he loved the most about work is the people.
“The part that’s going to be tough is, I’ve seen a lot of people every single day over the years, and a lot of the people who are up there bowling have been there longer than I’ve been there, if not half of the time I’ve been there, and that’s the part that made it easy for me to go into work every day,” Tavernese said.
Lisa (Leo) Ferrari, whose family owns Metro Bowl, said she can’t imagine coming into the alleys and not seeing Tavernese behind the counter after 52 years.
“He has become more than an employee to us; he is family. He is the most loyal, dedicated employee I know and is never without a smile,” Ferrari said. “He will be greatly missed by his Metro Bowl family.”
It all started when Tavernese was in high school. His friend Tony Leo asked if he wanted a part-time job at his family’s bowling alley. When he graduated high school, Tavernese began working full-time, helping to fix machines, working at the front desk, and helping to run the bowling alley.
Tavernese loved to bowl as a kid, before he started working there, but became a professional bowler after high school.
“I got out of high school and got a few pointers here and there (from) Bobby Leo and next thing you know my career took off and I did it professionally,” Tavernese said.
Tavernese was on Channel 5 for bowling and was inducted into the Candlepin Hall of Fame four years ago.
Lisa’s husband, Tim Ferrari, said Tavernese is known as the face of candlepin bowling in this area, bowling professionally and appearing on numerous televised bowling matches.
“More importantly, Joe is a great person,” Tim said.
Up until nine years ago, Tavernese used to bowl in three leagues a week and monthly tournaments, but had to stop due to back issues.
He is thinking of joining a league again in September to get back into it, but for now, he said he is looking forward to enjoying retirement with his wife, Sharon, who also just retired from the Post Office.
Ironically, Tavernese met his wife when he was working at the old Post Office Bowling Lanes, so he said he has a lot to be grateful for regarding his work there.
“She used to live across the street and come over and bowl,” he said. “We started dating, then we got married and this coming August will be 47 years of being married.”
Monday was their first day home as a retired couple and they spent the morning doing water aerobics at the YMCA and the rest of the day relaxing.
“We’re going to do a lot of walking, go down to the Y, and do whatever we want to do because we can now,” Tavernese said. “I remember when I was 20 years old and I said to myself ‘Gee, I’ve got 46 more years I have to work before I can retire’ and here it is already… It’s over before you know it.”
Tavernese said time flew by, but he loved his career with Metro Bowl and is excited to enjoy his retired life with his wife and family.
