James Francis Kovac: Salesman

James Francis Kovac, 80, a longtime resident of Greenwich, Conn., died Nov. 13, 2024 with his son by his side.

He was born in Port Chester to Helen Cahill and Frank E. Kovac, who predeceased him, and attended Our Lady of Mercy Grammar School in Port Chester, Stepinac in White Plains and Greenwich High School.

Jim was an incredibly hard worker throughout his life, apprenticed for his father and worked on estates in the backcountry.

He participated in the work-study program at Greenwich High School and began working as a bank teller at First County Bank after graduation.

He attended Pace University night school where he earned his associate degree; he didn’t think of himself as scholarly, so he took pride in this achievement, considering it evidence of what you can accomplish with hard work and diligence.

Jim was smart, though, and great with people. One night, a classmate at Pace watched him present a compelling argument to the professor and offered him a position at his company; that serendipitous moment was the start of a long and successful career in sales.

He was a hard worker, but he also knew how to have fun and brought positivity and levity to everything he pursued.

His endeavors often became entertaining tales he shared throughout his life and was quite the storyteller; he was engaging, gregarious, and welcoming.

Even in his last days on earth, his lovely spirit could brighten even the darkest room.

Jim enjoyed working in his yard, watching great movies, and spending time with his family and friends.

He was generous and caring; if you mentioned your favorite snack or drink once, he’d be sure to have it on hand the next time he saw you, and he would find the best place to purchase it using his astute, strategic grocery shopping strategies.

Jim modeled a life of integrity and dedication to his family.

He filled many roles as son, husband, father, brother, cousin, and “uncle,” and he gladly showed up for all that these roles required; however, he did not do it alone.

Where there was Jim, there was Duck (or Margaret), the love of Jim’s life and his wife of over 50 years.

They met in grammar school and charted their way through life’s waters with love, loyalty, and laughter; together they created a home that welcomed so many.

In their final days, some inexplicable and outright astounding force of nature refused to let them be apart; theirs was a love that continues to inspire us all.

Jim is survived by his children Frank Kovac (Christine Kovac), Jim Kovac (Stephanie Kovac) and Megan Kovac (Crista Farrell); grandchildren Jack Kovac, James Kovac, Kylie Kovac, Brooke Kovac, Sadie Kovac, Benjamin Kovac and Lila Farrell-Kovac; his sister Mary Alice Fluskey and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews.

He was predeceased by his wife (Margaret Kovac) and his sister, Patricia Ferguson.

A Catholic Mass will be held at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 4 Riverside Ave., Riverside, Conn., Fri., Nov. 22 at 10 a.m. It will be a joint Memorial Mass for James and his wife Margaret, who died on Oct. 21.