1915
Steven
2017
Steven J. Kovacs, Jr.
August 9, 1915 — January 11, 2017
Steven Joseph Kovacs, Jr. (101) of Hagerstown passed from this earth on January 11, 2017 at the Veteran’s Administration Community Living Center in Martinsburg, WV after a short illness. Steve was born on August 9, 1915, in Passaic, New Jersey to immigrant parents, Elizabeth Papp Kovacs and Steven Kovacs.
Steve spent his early years in New Jersey where he met his first wife, Theresa Patschak. He joined the U.S. Army, serving several years before World War II, and re-enlisting for four additional years during the war. He served in the 44th Infantry assigned to the European Theatre where he saw action throughout Germany, Austria, France, and fought in The Battle of The Bulge. He also witnessed the horrors of discovering Nazi death camps.
Mr. Kovacs employed himself over his long life for decades in the textile industry, the Kurtis Wright Aircraft Company, and being a professional chauffeur in the New York City area. After retiring he moved to this area, living in Virginia, West Virginia, Chambersburg, and finally Hagerstown.
He loved to dance and was an avid ballroom dancer. He was a participant in the local dance culture and was a regular at the Penn-Mar Park Sunday events. Steve and his second wife, Martha Zahorodny Kovacs, have their names inscribed on the wall of fame at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City’s theatre district. He also loved the game of Golf and played regularly through his mid-nineties.
Steve loved God, country (being so proud of his military service), family and many, many friends. He was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg. He is survived by his son Robert Kovacs and wife, Marilyn, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, his stepson Theodore Zahorodny and wife, Maria, of Accokeek, Maryland, grandsons Robert Kovacs, Jr. of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania and Scott Kovacs and wife, Jamie of Tannersville, Pennsylvania. A step-daughter-in-law, Eleanor, and three step-grandchildren also survive him. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother who passed in Hungary before his birth, his second wife who he was married for thirty-one years, Martha Zahorodny Kovacs, his first wife, Theresa Patschak Kovacs, of California, and a step son, George Zahorodny.
There will be a memorial service for Mr. Kovacs at the Rest Haven Funeral Chapel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 2:00pm. Family and friends will gather beginning at 1:00pm. Steve’s cremated remains will be inurned next to his wife, Martha, at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cemetery in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania at a later date.
Condolences may be made at www.rsthvn.com
Steve spent his early years in New Jersey where he met his first wife, Theresa Patschak. He joined the U.S. Army, serving several years before World War II, and re-enlisting for four additional years during the war. He served in the 44th Infantry assigned to the European Theatre where he saw action throughout Germany, Austria, France, and fought in The Battle of The Bulge. He also witnessed the horrors of discovering Nazi death camps.
Mr. Kovacs employed himself over his long life for decades in the textile industry, the Kurtis Wright Aircraft Company, and being a professional chauffeur in the New York City area. After retiring he moved to this area, living in Virginia, West Virginia, Chambersburg, and finally Hagerstown.
He loved to dance and was an avid ballroom dancer. He was a participant in the local dance culture and was a regular at the Penn-Mar Park Sunday events. Steve and his second wife, Martha Zahorodny Kovacs, have their names inscribed on the wall of fame at the Roseland Ballroom in New York City’s theatre district. He also loved the game of Golf and played regularly through his mid-nineties.
Steve loved God, country (being so proud of his military service), family and many, many friends. He was a member of the Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Chambersburg. He is survived by his son Robert Kovacs and wife, Marilyn, of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania, his stepson Theodore Zahorodny and wife, Maria, of Accokeek, Maryland, grandsons Robert Kovacs, Jr. of Bartonsville, Pennsylvania and Scott Kovacs and wife, Jamie of Tannersville, Pennsylvania. A step-daughter-in-law, Eleanor, and three step-grandchildren also survive him. Steve is preceded in death by his parents, two sisters and one brother who passed in Hungary before his birth, his second wife who he was married for thirty-one years, Martha Zahorodny Kovacs, his first wife, Theresa Patschak Kovacs, of California, and a step son, George Zahorodny.
There will be a memorial service for Mr. Kovacs at the Rest Haven Funeral Chapel on Pennsylvania Avenue in Hagerstown, Maryland, on Sunday, January 15, 2017, at 2:00pm. Family and friends will gather beginning at 1:00pm. Steve’s cremated remains will be inurned next to his wife, Martha, at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cemetery in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania at a later date.
Condolences may be made at www.rsthvn.com
To send flowers to the family in memory of Steven J. Kovacs, Jr., please visit our flower store.
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