In Memory of

József

"Joseph"

Kovács

Obituary for József "Joseph" Kovács

József (Joseph) Kovács


It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father and grandfather, József Kovács, who died suddenly on Sunday, June 16, 2013 after a brave battle with cancer.


He is predeceased by his parents József Kovács and Margit (nee Zsebik). Left to mourn are his wife of 44 years Rozália (nee Körtvély), daughters; Szilvia Kovács Kalmár (Joe), Éva Kovács (Jeff) and grandchildren; Zakariás, Mátyás, Julika and Lukács, brother; László (Gizella) in Slovakia as well as other family members and friends in Slovakia and across Canada.


József was born on January 7, 1944 in Körtvélyes, a small village in Hungary (now located in Slovakia). The older of two boys, József was very independent and curious. As a small child those characteristics prompted his parents to tie a small bell around his neck to ensure he wouldn?t wander out of the yard. Those same personality traits led József to Canada in 1967. It was during that trip spent working on a relative?s tobacco farm in Southern Ontario that József saw the potential for a better life.


Two years later, with a diploma in mechanical engineering József returned to Canada. Together with his wife Rozália, the young newlywed couple stepped into a new world with great hopes – as well as a profound sense of loss having left their families and circle of close friends behind.


As he embraced this new life and the challenges that came with it, József took on multiple jobs washing dishes and apprenticing as a plumber as he learned English. Then in 1973, the opportunity of a new job in his professional field led József to Winnipeg where he settled down with his wife to raise their two daughters in St. Vital.


From the very first days as a new immigrant and throughout the years, the Hungarian communities in both Ontario and then Winnipeg became an integral part of József?s social circle. He was intensely proud of his Hungarian heritage and was very involved in the Hungarian United Church, Folklorama and other events and activities that kept him tied to his Hungarian roots.


József worked at JD Construction and later at Canadian Tool & Die as a draftsman until his first bout with cancer forced him to retire in 2006. He enjoyed work and particularly the connections he made with colleagues and business associates.


József?s greatest source of support and strength was his wife and the pride he had in his daughters and grandchildren.


A funeral service will be held to celebrate József?s life on Friday, June 21st at 10:30 am at the Hungarian United Church, 732 Ellice Avenue. A light lunch will follow. Those who wish may then join the family at St. Vital Cemetery for the internment.

The Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Lukács Mager, Mátyás Daulat, Zakariás Daulat, sons-in-law; Jeff Mager, Joe Kalmár and close friend Géza Nagy.


As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in József?s memory to the Mager Family Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation or to the Hungarian United Church, 732 Ellice Avenue,Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3G 0B4.


The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the paramedics and all the medical staff at Health Sciences Centre and Victoria General Hospital who took care of József.


The Coutu Family in care of arrangements:

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS

680 Archibald Street

204-253-5086

ejcoutu.com











József (Joseph) Kovács


It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our dear husband, father and grandfather, József Kovács, who died suddenly on Sunday, June 16, 2013 after a brave battle with cancer.


He is predeceased by his parents József Kovács and Margit (nee Zsebik). Left to mourn are his wife of 44 years Rozália (nee Körtvély), daughters; Szilvia Kovács Kalmár (Joe), Éva Kovács (Jeff) and grandchildren; Zakariás, Mátyás, Julika and Lukács, brother; László (Gizella) in Slovakia as well as other family members and friends in Slovakia and across Canada.


József was born on January 7, 1944 in Körtvélyes, a small village in Hungary (now located in Slovakia). The older of two boys, József was very independent and curious. As a small child those characteristics prompted his parents to tie a small bell around his neck to ensure he wouldn?t wander out of the yard. Those same personality traits led József to Canada in 1967. It was during that trip spent working on a relative?s tobacco farm in Southern Ontario that József saw the potential for a better life.


Two years later, with a diploma in mechanical engineering József returned to Canada. Together with his wife Rozália, the young newlywed couple stepped into a new world with great hopes – as well as a profound sense of loss having left their families and circle of close friends behind.


As he embraced this new life and the challenges that came with it, József took on multiple jobs washing dishes and apprenticing as a plumber as he learned English. Then in 1973, the opportunity of a new job in his professional field led József to Winnipeg where he settled down with his wife to raise their two daughters in St. Vital.


From the very first days as a new immigrant and throughout the years, the Hungarian communities in both Ontario and then Winnipeg became an integral part of József?s social circle. He was intensely proud of his Hungarian heritage and was very involved in the Hungarian United Church, Folklorama and other events and activities that kept him tied to his Hungarian roots.


József worked at JD Construction and later at Canadian Tool & Die as a draftsman until his first bout with cancer forced him to retire in 2006. He enjoyed work and particularly the connections he made with colleagues and business associates.


József?s greatest source of support and strength was his wife and the pride he had in his daughters and grandchildren.


A funeral service will be held to celebrate József?s life on Friday, June 21st at 10:30 am at the Hungarian United Church, 732 Ellice Avenue. A light lunch will follow. Those who wish may then join the family at St. Vital Cemetery for the internment.

The Pallbearers will be his grandsons; Lukács Mager, Mátyás Daulat, Zakariás Daulat, sons-in-law; Jeff Mager, Joe Kalmár and close friend Géza Nagy.


As expressions of sympathy, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made in József?s memory to the Mager Family Fund at the Winnipeg Foundation or to the Hungarian United Church, 732 Ellice Avenue,Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3G 0B4.


The family would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the paramedics and all the medical staff at Health Sciences Centre and Victoria General Hospital who took care of József.


The Coutu Family in care of arrangements:

E.J. COUTU & CO. FUNERAL DIRECTORS

680 Archibald Street

204-253-5086

ejcoutu.com