Lawrence (Larry) J. Kovatch, of Andover, passed away Thursday July 2, 2020. He was 80 years old.
Larry was born August 14, 1939 in McAdoo, PA, where he grew up with his three brothers and one sister. The stories he could, and would, tell about his childhood kept us laughing. Of course, there was always a different version depending on which sibling did the telling.
He was predeceased by his parents Elmer and Margaret (Voccola) Kovatch, his sister Dr. Mary Patricia Nelson, and brother Ernest Kovatch. He is survived by his beloved wife Carol Ann (Force), son Lawrence (Tomoe), daughter Debra (Tara), adored grandchildren Leo, Alex, and Riley, and dear brothers Jackie and Eddie.
Larry moved to Clifton, NJ as a teenager where he met the love of his life, Carol Ann. They married in 1966. In 1973 they moved to a new development in Lake Tranquility, where they had many happy years and made many wonderful friends.
Larry served two years in the Army during the Vietnam War and another two years in active reserves. During his career, he worked at Hoffmann-La Roche in Nutley and then Citibank, NY, later in life.
Larry always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and making people laugh. Without a doubt, he was a charmer. There was no such thing as a quick errand with him as he would stop to speak to everyone.
Larry loved to listen to music, travel the world, and play cards with his friends. He adored his grandchildren and loved nothing more than watching his grandsons play sports and playing hide and seek with his granddaughter.
Greatly loved, he will be missed beyond measure.
Visitation will be Thursday July 9, 5:00 – 7:00, Cochran Funeral Home, 905 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ. Funeral Mass Friday, July 10, 10:30 am Good Shepherd Church, Andover. Donations may be made to the American Heart Association.
1 Condolence for Lawrence (Larry) J. Kovatch
Condolence(1)
Anthony L Kovatch says
July 12, 2020 at 4:23 amLarry was my godfather for confirmation—-not because he taught me to pray but because he taught me to see the world as a place where the only form of communication necessary was laughing. When I asked him to be my sponsor he gave me a quarter and said thank you for asking me—maybe it was a dollar! He was the epitome of the fun-loving Kovatch who played pinochle and drank beer with great intensity! He was always a magnet for laughter! Although my confirmed middle name was Louis (after my uncle) I always considered the “L” to stand for Larry.!!