Deacon Joseph R. Kovitch

Deacon Joseph R. Kovitch, 84 of Concord Twp, formerly of Mentor, Euclid and New Smyrna, FL, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2026, at David Simpson Hospice House in Cleveland with his loving family by his side. He was born June 29, 1941, in Cleveland. The high point in his life was being accepted into the Diaconate Program in the Diocese of Cleveland, Ohio. He was ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons on May 23, 1998, at St. John’s Cathedral in Cleveland. Deacon Kovitch’s Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated on May 24, 1998, at St. Mary of the Assumption Parish in Mentor. His first diaconal duty was to baptize his grandson, Ryan Collingwood, at St. Mary’s on May 24, 1998. His final diaconal duty was to baptize his great-granddaughter, Gracie Jane Ritchey, on December 28, 2025, at St. Mary’s. All the years in between, he honored his calling and cared for the young and old, especially at St. Mary’s and St. Patrick’s on Bridge Avenue. Deacon Kovitch retired in 2011 from St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Mentor after serving as a Deacon for 13 years. Prior to that, he retired in 2000 after 20 years as a Process Manager for the former Bailey Controls International in Wickliffe. Joe enjoyed competing in marathons and running road races with his family, golfing with friends, and photography. Survivors include his wife of 63 years: Angela (O’Loughlin) Kovitch; children: Joseph G. (Marie) Kovitch, Michael (Gil Aurellano) Kovitch, Jeanne (Kenneth) Collingwood and Kevin (Alysia) Kovitch; grandchildren: Zachary (fiancée: Marisa Battaglia) Kovitch, Jesse Kovitch, Alexandra (Greg) Ritchey, Ryan (fiancée: Emily Eckles) Collingwood, Jackson Collingwood, Meredith (Erin Shaughnessy) Kovitch and David Kovitch; and great-granddaughter; Gracie Jane Ritchey. The family will receive friends for a Vesper Service at 5:00 pm Monday, March 30, 2026, and visitation following the Vesper Service from 5:30 -7:00 p.m. Monday, March 30, 2026, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH, 44060. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 8560 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH, 44060. Interment will be in All Souls Cemetery, Chardon, OH. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions made to: Reserve Care, P.O. Box 72101, Cleveland 44192, or donate online at www.hospicewr.org Arrangements entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 8466 Mentor Ave., Mentor, OH 44060. Offer condolences at www.brunners.com

Deacon Joseph R. Kovitch

June 29, 1941 - March 22, 2026