Rev. Fr John F. Kovach

Falling Asleep in the Lord of Rev. John Kovach - September 15, 2021, El Monte, California

Rev. John Kovach was born on December 20, 1939 in Cleveland, Ohio to Julia and Joseph Kovach and baptized at St. John Hungarian Church, Cleveland, Ohio (now located in Solon, Ohio).

He was preceded in death by his parents, Joseph and Julia Kovach, and his one brother, Joseph B. Kovach.

He is survived by his sister-in-law Rose I. Kovach of Lake Havasu, AZ, nephew Joseph Blaise Kovach (wife Raynette) of Lake Havasu, AZ, nephew John David Kovach of Lake Havasu, AZ, niece Kristen Anne Kovach(fiancé Jerome) of Lake Havasu, AZ, nephew James Richard Kovach of Chantilly, VA, grandniece Brittni Marie Sunbury (husband Josh) of Phoenix, AZ, grandnephew James Richard Kovach II of Chantilly, VA, grandnephew Cody A. Lehmann Kovach of Chantilly, VA, grandniece McKenah Rae Kovach of Phoenix, AZ, grandnephew Blaise Joseph Kovach of Lake Havasu, AZ, great-grandnephew Landon Michael Sunbury of Phoenix, AZ, and great-grandnephew Mason Joshua Sunbury of Phoenix, AZ.

Father John attended Harvey Rice Elementary, Cleveland, Ohio; Audubon Jr. High, Cleveland, Ohio; and Benedictine High School, Cleveland, Ohio. He graduated in 1961 with his B.A. from Duquesne University Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated in 1965 from Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Nicholas T. Elko at St. Nicholas Church, McKeesport, Pennsylvania on March 25, 1965. As a priest of the Ruthenian Metropolia of Pittsburgh, he served the following parishes: St. John Hungarian, Detroit, MI (1965); St. Nicholas, Brownsville, PA (1965-1966); St. Michael Hungarian Church, Cleveland, OH (1966-1968); Holy Trinity Church, Sykesville, PA, and St. Mary Church, DuBois, PA (1968-1972); St. Macrina, San Mateo, CA; Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Albuquerque, NM (974-1978); Sts. Cyril and Methodius, Spokane, WA; St. Michael, Pleasant City, OH (1978); Christ the King, Taylor, MI (1978-1981); St. Nicholas, Fontana, CA (1981-1983); St. Michael, Lorain, OH (1985-1990), Holy Angels, San Diego, CA (1990-1994); Shrine of Mariapoch, Burton, OH (1994-2003); St. Mary Magdalene, Fairview Park, OH and Holy Spirit, Parma, OH (2003-2005); and St. Mary, Whiting, Indiana (2005-2010).

During his years as an active priest, Father Kovach served the Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, the Eparchy of Parma, and the Eparchy of Van Nuys (now the Eparchy of Phoenix) and in 2006 he was incardinated into the Eparchy of Parma from which he retired in 2010. In his retirement, Father John moved to Sherman Oaks, California where he lived near the parish of the Proto-Cathedral of St. Mary of the Eparchy of Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Pittsburgh per the wishes of Fr. John Kovach.

All Liturgical Services will be held at the Byzantine Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist 1900 Carlton Rd. Parma, Oh:

MONDAY September 27, 2021 – 6PM First and Second Evening Funeral Services for a Priest (Parastas)

TUESDAY September 28 – 10AM Funeral Divine Liturgy. Bishop Milan Lach Main Celebrant.

Burial Tuesday afternoon at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland.