On September 15, 2021, Father John Kovach, a retired priest of the Eparchy of Parma, fell asleep in the Lord in El Monte, California, at the age of 81. He surrendered his soul to the Lord in the 56th year of his priesthood. 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). Please join us in praying for the eternal rest of the soul of Father Kovach.
The Parastas and Funeral Divine Liturgy for Fr. Kovach were held at St. John the Baptist Cathedral in Parma, Ohio. Bishop Milan Lach and seven priests, Fr. Marek Visnovsky, Fr. Dennis Hrubiak, Fr. John Kachuba, Fr. Bryan Eyman, Fr. Bruce Riebe, Fr. Joseph Repko (Eparchy of Parma), Fr. Michael O'Loughlin (Eparchy of Phoenix), and Dc. Gregory Loya (Eparchy of Parma), celebrated the Funeral Divine Liturgy on Tuesday, September 28, 2021.
Fr. John Kovach was buried in a coffin that had been made for him and which he kept in his rectory at the parishes he was assigned to during his active ministry. His final resting place is at Calvary Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio by the graves of his parents.
In blessed repose, grant, O Lord, eternal rest to your departed servant the priest John and remember him forever. Eternal memory, eternal memory, blessed repose, eternal memory.