Kovach, Barry

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Barry Paul Kovach

 

Barry Paul Kovach, 72, of Philipsburg, Pennsylvania died Saturday, January 20, 2018, surrounded by his family at the Mount Nittany Medical Center in State College, Pa.

Born in Drifting, PA on November 23, 1945 to Andrew Kovach and Mildred Rhenish-Kovach, Barry grew up in Philipsburg, PA with his brother Kenneth and his sister Donna. In high school, he met his wife, Marian Gail Miller, whom he married on June 5, 1971. He attended Penn State University, joined ROTC, and pledged as a brother to Phi Kappa Psi fraternity where he made life long friends, graduating with his AS and BS in Food Service and Housing Administration in 1968. After college, Barry served in the Army, attaining the rank of first lieutenant.Image of the US Army Seal

After completing his military service, he and Marian moved to Pottstown, PA, where Barry worked as a registered dietician at the Penn Hurst State School and Hospital. They then moved back to State College, PA, where they had two sons, Kyle R. Kovach, born 1980, and Shane R. Kovach, born 1984.

Moving from State College back to his hometown of Philipsburg in 1988, Barry began working at the Philipsburg State General Hospital as the head of the dietary department. When the hospital closed, Barry worked with the community to reopen it as the Philipsburg Area Hospital, hoping to create a healthcare facility for the local citizens. He considered it one of his proudest accomplishments.

After retiring from the Hollidaysburg Veterans Home, Barry spent his time working on his house, cars, boat, managing his garden, and supporting his family. He listened to classic rock often, and loved cooking Halupki, spaghetti, and grilling.

Barry’s family meant everything to him, and they would take fishing trips to Canada, Erie, and the Thousand Islands. He loved his sons with all his heart. He would go fly fishing at Penns Creek with his son Kyle, and go to Reading terminal in Philadelphia with his son Shane. He enjoyed being outdoors. He went to Belleville for the Amish market, and grew vegetables in his garden. He would talk to friends on the phone often. He enjoyed helping his family, the elderly, and loved his work with veterans.

Barry was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Kenneth; and sister-in-law, Jean Hill. He will be missed by his wife and two sons, his son Kyle’s wife Léna Remy-Kovach, and his son Shane’s fiancée Erin Brown; his sister, Donna and her husband, David Welsh; his sister-in-law Sherry Flick and her husband Steve; nieces and nephews: Jackie and Stevie Flick, Scott Kovach, Jennifer Fleming, Monica and Alex Welsh, Brian and Vicky Hill, Scott and Lydia Hill, and all of their respective children.

The funeral service for Barry will be held at the Beezer-Heath Funeral Home, 719 E. Spruce Street, Philipsburg, with Rev. John Gibbons, Officiating. Military Honors will be accorded at the funeral home by the Moshannon Valley Independent Honor Guard.  The viewings will be on Wednesday, January 24, from 2-4 and 6-8, and all day Thursday at the funeral home until his service at 4pm. All services are open to the public and all are welcome to attend.

Interment will be in St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Morrisdale.

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