Former Jersey City teachers union president dies

Thomas “The Turk” Favia, who spent 23 years as president of the Jersey City Education Association, passed away on September 28.  He was 87.

He served eleven terms as union president before retiring in 2012.  His second in command, Ronald Greco, succeeded him.

“As a public school teacher and union leader, he was a true champion for students as he relentlessly pursued getting resources they needed to succeed,” said Marie Blistan, the president of the New Jersey Education Association.

Favia was the head basketball coach at Ferris High School in Jersey City from 1966 to 1991, winning five state sectional titles and become the winningest basketball coach in Jersey City history.  He taught history for fifteen years and then spent 20 years as a guidance counselor.