Joseph Kovalsky

Joseph "Ski Joe" Kovalsky, 81, of Stockdale, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 12, 2009, at Town View Senior Care, Canonsburg. Born in Monessen on May 30, 1928, he was the son of the late Metro and Julia (Magyarik) Kovalsky. He was a U.S. Army veteran who proudly served during the Korean War. Mr. Kovalsky was employed by Corning Glass Works for 45 years before his retirement from the Automatics Department in 1990. He was a member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church; Brownsville and Charleroi American Legion, and was the last surviving member of the original Charleroi Boat Club. He is survived by his wife, Martha Jane Kovalsky; one daughter, Debora Lynn Rice of North Charleroi; one son and daughter-in-law, Raymond E. and Kathy Hartman of Stockdale; five grandchildren, Jessan and Julia Jeffries, Samuel Raymond Rice, and Tom and Alexis Kalvesmaki; two nephews, Michael Hixenbaugh and wife Sherry and Thomas Hixenbaugh and wife Sherry; numerous great nieces and nephews; and one sister, Olga Jeletic and husband Anthony. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Michael, Pete, and John Kovalsky; and two sisters, Margaret McLaughlin and Helen Kizis. Friends will be received Friday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Melenyzer-DuBarr Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, Inc., Roscoe. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, August 15, 2009, at 10 a.m. in St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Roscoe, with Rev. George J. Moneck officiating. Interment with full military honors conducted by Charleroi American Legion Post 22 will follow in Monongahela Cemetery.