Adam Michael Bose, who owned a business in Great Neck for more than 60 years, died peacefully in his own home in Hicksville on April 4. He was 86.
Adam owned Regal Home Products, which he purchased in 1954, with his partner/brother-in-law, the late Anthony Litka. He was married for 64 years to Stella, who predeceased him in 2017, and together they raised three children, Debra, Douglas “Doug” and Gail. Doug worked with Adam in the business for 40 years.
Regal Home Products first opened its doors on Hicks Lane and then moved to 566 Middle Neck Rd. Eventually, the business moved across the street to 571 Middle Neck Rd., and Adam purchased the two buildings along with three partners. He became president of Brokaw Realty. In 1999, the buildings were sold, however Adam and Doug kept the business going until last year.
According to Doug, one of the jobs Regal did that his dad was most proud of was to supply a renovating company with more than 1,000 pieces of different types, shapes and sizes of glass for the renovation of the iconic Chrysler building.
Over the years, Regal Home Products serviced residential and commercial properties throughout the community, including the Great Neck Public Schools, the Village of Great Neck and the Great Neck Alert Fire Company. Whenever Adam ran into people from Great Neck, he would ask them their address, and he would rattle off that Regal did their windows or their doors or possibly their siding. That was one of the ways he would remember people, by what kind of work Regal did for them.
“Adam did the windows in our house,” recalled Allan Feldman, a longtime Great Neck resident, who knew Adam for 40 years and fondly remembers the two of them having lunch together every Saturday in Regal’s offices. “Whenever we had a problem, whether it was plumbing or electrical, if nobody was available, Adam would come and take care of it. He was the kind of guy that you could rely on, day or night.”
Adam was also close with many members of the Great Neck Alert Fire Company.
“Adam Bose was part of those old-school type business owners, making sure his sidewalk was clean and that it was shoveled when it snowed,” said John Motchkavitz, longtime Great Neck resident and member of the Great Neck Alert Fire Company. “He took pride in all aspects of Regal Home Products and his customers became lifelong friends. Adam was also a great friend to the Motchkavitz family. As fellow local businessmen, Adam and my father, George, became best friends. They truly represented ‘the greatest generation’ in all aspects of their lives. Adam and his friendly personality will surely be missed by many in the Great Neck community.”
In addition to his own three children, Adam leaves behind eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Donations in Adam’s memory can be made to Friends of Connor, 898 Cypress Lakeview Court, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688.
