Richard A. Kovach

Richard A. Kovach, 84 passed away on September 26th, 2021 at his residence in Jefferson, Ohio.

He was born October 6th, 1936, in Dillonvale, Ohio, the son of Andrew and Rose (Kolar) Kovach. 

His Hobbies including golfing, fishing, spending time with family and work was his favorite hobby of them all.

When Rich was 6 years old, he started to work, it was a paper route and he started with 25 customers. Like everything Rich has done in life, and in business, he believed hard work, dedication, and integrity would lead to success. By the time he was 16, he had increased his route to 125 customers. Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army and proudly served his country. After his honorable discharge from the military, it was a time when good jobs were hard to come by; but eventually Rich hired-on with a forging company where he worked for several years, until they closed their doors. It was at that time that Rich decided to buy one of their machines and start his own business in his garage, and this is where it all began. His drive, ambition, and perseverance has led him to where he is 78 years later after his first day as a paperboy. Very possibly one of the hardest working people you will have ever met, Rich fulfilled the American dream.  He was the founder and owner of Ken Forging Inc., in Jefferson Ohio along with the owner of Cleveland City Forge in Wellington, Ohio and owner of Spring Team in Austinburg, Ohio. 

The mission statement “Service is our strength and quality is our commitment, “ was also his moto and  truly what he believed in his heart. He took so much pride in his work, and he held true to the philosophy that the customer is always right. He worked long hours to provide for his family and for the success of the company, so in turn his employees could provide for their families as well.  He also took a great deal of pride in working side-by-side with his son every day, and even when his health started to fail, he still worked every day from home.  He was always so happy to give back to the community, most often doing so anonymously. 

Richard is survived by his loving family: his children, Kenneth (Barbara) Kovach, Karen Kovach, and Kris (Eric) Velliquette; his five grandchildren: Connor & Katie Kovach and Trinity, Grace, & Faith Velliquette; his loving companion JoAnn Whetsell and her daughter Heather as well as his former wife Jean Kovach.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents and his two sisters Elaine Gazzola and Dorothy Kaminski.

The family would like to acknowledge his caregivers: Alison, Kristy, Jessica, Laurie, Melissa, Rick, and Tracey for the exceptional care they provided. They would also like to thank the Bella Care Hospice team for the compassionate care they delivered.

A graveside funeral service will be held on Saturday October 2, 2021 at 2:00 p.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Jefferson.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Joseph Church in Jefferson, Ohio. 

The Fleming & Billman Funeral Home, Jefferson, Ohio is honored to be handling the arrangements for the Kovach family.

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